Budget Analysts vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $24,660 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 28.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$60,510$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $63,650 | $-3,140 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $82,630 | $-10,390 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $112,590 | $-24,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $155,810 | $-45,430 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $194,410 | $-59,770 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $124,590 | $-30,670 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
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 Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,660 (28.0% 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 Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Budget Analysts and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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