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The differences between budget coordinators and cost analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a budget coordinator and a cost analyst. Additionally, a cost analyst has an average salary of $54,158, which is higher than the $53,878 average annual salary of a budget coordinator.
The top three skills for a budget coordinator include purchase orders, payroll and invoice processing. The most important skills for a cost analyst are cost analysis, financial analysis, and cost estimates.
| Budget Coordinator | Cost Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $53,878 | $54,158 |
| Hourly rate | $25.90 | $26.04 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 23,021 | 60,034 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A budget coordinator is responsible for ensuring that company departments comply with budget guidelines and regulations. They usually work in an office setting where they are in charge of gathering and analyzing checks, invoices, bills, and monthly financial statements to ensure that all expenses align with the set budget. They also reach out to various offices when overspending is detected, performing corrective measures as necessary. Moreover, as a budget coordinator, it is essential to implement the company's budget regulations and policies while producing regular budget reports.
Cost Analysts are employees with a strong background in finance or accounting. They are in charge of collecting financial data and analyzing the entries. They study the company's expenses and prepare pertinent reports. Cost Analysts look for inconsistencies in the financial data. This way, they can assist in auditing the company's spending. Cost Analysts also look for inefficiencies. They do so by tracking item costs and department budgets and monitoring department expenses. They are also involved in budget-setting activities.
Budget coordinators and cost analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Budget Coordinator | Cost Analyst | |
| Average salary | $53,878 | $54,158 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $74,000 | Between $39,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Central State University | General Motors |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a budget coordinator and a cost analyst in terms of educational background:
| Budget Coordinator | Cost Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 74% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between budget coordinators' and cost analysts' demographics:
| Budget Coordinator | Cost Analyst | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9% | Male, 54.2% Female, 45.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 8.6% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 13% |