Budget Analyst Salary in Washington, DC
Budget Analysts in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $125,050 a year — 36% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $89,077 take-home, or $7,423 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median budget analyst salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,746
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,753
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,813
- District of Columbia income tax$7,661
- Take-home pay$89,077
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Budget Analyst pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,060 | $39.45 | $62,553 | $5,213 |
| 25th percentile | $101,400 | $48.75 | $74,514 | $6,210 |
| Median (50th) | $125,050 | $60.12 | $89,077 | $7,423 |
| 75th percentile | $144,680 | $69.56 | $100,825 | $8,402 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $161,030 | $77.42 | $110,611 | $9,218 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $125,050 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median budget analyst's $89,077 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,809 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 4.3× the national concentration of budget analyst jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for budget analysts, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #2 of 26 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville, AL | $113,400 | $83,202 | $89,395 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $125,050 | $89,077 | $81,809 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $98,330 | $78,005 | $79,089 |
| 4 | Tampa, FL | $99,370 | $78,737 | $78,042 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $92,000 | $73,552 | $77,655 |
| 6 | Detroit, MI | $102,080 | $76,556 | $76,328 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $99,880 | $74,535 | $74,491 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $104,090 | $82,057 | $73,837 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 26 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a budget analyst make in Washington, DC?
The median budget analyst salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $125,050 a year, or about $60.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $101,400 and $144,680.
What is a budget analyst’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $125,050 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $89,077 a year ($7,423 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,661 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a budget analyst?
Pay here is 36% above the national median of $91,640. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,809 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 26 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a budget analyst afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median budget analyst’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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