Budget Analysts vs Civil Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $11,660 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 13.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $160,990 for Civil Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
$60,510$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Civil Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $65,920 | $-5,410 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $78,790 | $-6,550 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $99,590 | $-11,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $128,290 | $-17,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $160,990 | $-26,350 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $107,050 | $-13,130 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Budget Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $125,170 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $121,890 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $103,960 |
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,660 (13.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Budget Analysts?
Budget Analysts salaries range from $60,510 (10th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $87,930.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
How many Budget Analysts and Civil Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 355,410 Civil Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Civil Engineers to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Civil Engineers earns $99,590. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS