Budget Analysts vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $12,820 more per year than Budget Analysts professionals — that's 14.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Budget Analysts earns $134,640 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Budget Analysts$60,510 – $134,640
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$59,830$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Budget Analysts | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $60,510 | $59,830 | +$680 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,240 | $76,950 | $-4,710 |
| Median (50th) | $87,930 | $100,750 | $-12,820 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,380 | $131,660 | $-21,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,640 | $165,790 | $-31,150 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,920 | $108,100 | $-14,180 |
Employment Numbers
Budget Analysts
47,170
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Budget Analysts or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,820 (14.6% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Budget Analysts and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 47,170 Budget Analysts positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Budget Analysts?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Budget Analysts has a median salary of $87,930 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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