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Budget and Policy Analysts are responsible for evaluating financial data and crafting policies that ensure fiscal responsibility within organizations. They analyze budget proposals, prepare financial reports, and recommend adjustments based on economic trends and organizational goals. The role is pivotal in both public and private sectors, influencing decisions that impact a wide range of stakeholders.
The average salary for a Budget and Policy Analyst is approximately $68,408 annually, translating to about $33 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and specific industry. Analysts in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
As analysts gain experience, they may move into senior roles, overseeing larger budgets or managing teams. Continuous education and professional certifications can further enhance their career prospects. Networking with professionals in the field can also lead to new job opportunities and insights into industry trends.
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The average budget and policy analyst salary in Maine, West Virginia, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average budget and policy analyst salary states are Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Georgia.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $115,340 | $55.45 |
| 2 | Vermont | $83,309 | $40.05 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $85,532 | $41.12 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $84,302 | $40.53 |
| 5 | Virginia | $76,350 | $36.71 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $86,346 | $41.51 |
| 7 | Maine | $87,355 | $42.00 |
| 8 | Delaware | $74,214 | $35.68 |
| 9 | Colorado | $75,371 | $36.24 |
| 10 | New York | $76,957 | $37.00 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $77,465 | $37.24 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $77,854 | $37.43 |
| 13 | California | $78,294 | $37.64 |
| 14 | Michigan | $74,415 | $35.78 |
| 15 | Texas | $75,150 | $36.13 |
| 16 | Washington | $77,624 | $37.32 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $76,494 | $36.78 |
| 18 | Ohio | $74,092 | $35.62 |
| 19 | Alabama | $65,969 | $31.72 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $67,151 | $32.28 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $72,668 | $34.94 |
| 22 | Missouri | $71,137 | $34.20 |
| 23 | Indiana | $72,366 | $34.79 |
| 24 | Maryland | $69,999 | $33.65 |
| 25 | Alaska | $67,243 | $32.33 |
| 26 | Nevada | $65,426 | $31.45 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $67,928 | $32.66 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $64,633 | $31.07 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $62,915 | $30.25 |
| 30 | Minnesota | $67,121 | $32.27 |
| 31 | Arizona | $61,870 | $29.75 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $63,025 | $30.30 |
| 33 | Utah | $65,185 | $31.34 |
| 34 | Florida | $63,619 | $30.59 |
| 35 | Illinois | $63,618 | $30.59 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $67,071 | $32.25 |
| 37 | Hawaii | $59,978 | $28.84 |
| 38 | Idaho | $60,628 | $29.15 |
| 39 | Kansas | $61,998 | $29.81 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $62,834 | $30.21 |
| 41 | Oregon | $65,842 | $31.65 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $63,684 | $30.62 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $57,699 | $27.74 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $58,136 | $27.95 |
| 45 | Iowa | $59,854 | $28.78 |
| 46 | Montana | $50,327 | $24.20 |
| 47 | Georgia | $53,079 | $25.52 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $57,195 | $27.50 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $55,087 | $26.48 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $52,376 | $25.18 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $46,725 | $22.46 |
The highest-paying cities for budget and policy analysts are Springfield, MA, San Francisco, CA, and Springfield, VA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Springfield, MA | $85,294 | $41.01 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $81,230 | $39.05 |
| 3 | Springfield, VA | $77,594 | $37.30 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $77,128 | $37.08 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $75,252 | $36.18 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $74,933 | $36.03 |
| 7 | Saint Paul, MN | $67,214 | $32.31 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $64,095 | $30.81 |
| 9 | West Palm Beach, FL | $63,368 | $30.47 |
A budget and policy analyst's salary ranges from $44,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $105,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $105,000 | $8,750 | $50 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 | $41 |
| Average | $68,408 | $5,701 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 10th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
The highest paying types of budget and policy analysts are senior analyst, budget engineer, and senior cost analyst.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst | $73,007 | $6,084 | $35.10 | 253,138 |
| Cost Analyst | $54,158 | $4,513 | $26.04 | 60,034 |
| Budget Coordinator | $53,878 | $4,490 | $25.90 | 23,021 |
| Budget/Finance Analyst | $58,499 | $4,875 | $28.12 | 94,906 |
| Budget Analyst | $56,598 | $4,716 | $27.21 | 50,081 |
| Policy Analyst | $66,359 | $5,530 | $31.90 | 69,173 |
Top companies hiring budget and policy analysts now:
Budget and policy analyst salaries at Airbnb and 3S Network are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average budget and policy analyst salary at companies like Colorado State Express and Wisconsin are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Airbnb | $90,116 | $43.33 |
| 2 | 3S Network | $76,503 | $36.78 |
| 3 | Colorado State Express | $74,833 | $35.98 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | $74,833 | $35.98 |
| 5 | GSG Consultants | $72,588 | $34.90 |
| 6 | Minnesota State Fair | $62,947 | $30.26 |
| 7 | New York State Restaurant Association | $61,674 | $29.65 |
| 8 | City of Norfolk | $54,841 | $26.37 |
| 9 | State of Colorado | $49,229 | $23.67 |
| 10 | Colorado Department of Transportation | $47,578 | $22.87 |
The average budget and policy analyst salary has risen by $8,559 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average budget and policy analyst earned $59,849 annually, but today, they earn $68,408 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for budget and policy analysts over the last decade.
Compare budget and policy analyst salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare budget and policy analyst salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $68,400 | $32.89 | +3.1% |
| 2025 | $66,300 | $31.88 | +0.4% |
| 2024 | $66,000 | $31.74 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $65,200 | $31.33 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $64,000 | $30.75 | +3.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of New York | Budget and Policy Analyst-REF #Ex-Hi | Albany, NY | 06/22/2025 | $56,655 |
| City of Norfolk, Va | Budget and Policy Analyst I | Norfolk, VA | 05/28/2025 | $54,601 |
| Inteletech Global | Budget Analysts or Policy Analyst | Tallahassee, FL | 05/22/2025 | $83,480 |
| City of Richmond, Va | Budget and Policy Analyst, Senior | Richmond, VA | 03/22/2025 | $91,000 |
| State of Wisconsin | Public Policy and Budget Analyst | Madison, WI | 03/20/2025 | $68,640 |
| New York State Civil Service | Budget and Policy Analyst-REF #Ex-Fp | Albany, NY | 02/21/2025 | $55,006 |
| State of New York | Budget and Policy Analyst-REF #Ex-Pp | Albany, NY | 02/15/2025 | $55,006 |
| Waukesha County (Wi | Executive Policy & Budget Analyst (Senior Financial Analyst) | Waukesha, WI | 01/23/2025 | $82,077 |
| Salt Lake City Corporation | Budget & Policy Analyst | Salt Lake City, UT | 01/11/2025 | $100,000 |
| State of Colorado | Budget & Policy Analyst III | Denver, CO | 12/18/2024 | $81,204 |
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