Budget Analysts vs Computer and Information Research Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn $52,980 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 60.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $232,120 for Computer and Information Research Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
$60,510$232,120
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $80,670 | $-20,160 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $102,710 | $-30,470 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $140,910 | $-52,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $181,210 | $-70,830 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $232,120 | $-97,480 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $152,310 | $-58,390 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Computer and Information Research Scientists
38,480
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 Computer and Information Research Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $232,120 |
| Richmond, VA | $231,930 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $191,880 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $169,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,980 (60.3% 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 Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries range from $80,670 (10th percentile) to $232,120 (90th percentile), with a median of $140,910.
How many Budget Analysts and Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer and Information Research Scientists to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $140,910. 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