Budget Analysts Salary
In North Carolina, budget analysts earn $82,350 at the median, or about $39.59 an hour. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.66), which stretches that salary to about $88,873 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,284/month, or 24.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Carolina. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in North Carolina?
About budget analysts
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What this looks like in North Carolina
Budget analysts pay in North Carolina tracks closely to the national median, $82K locally vs. $92K nationwide, a 10% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,284/month, 24.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.66 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Carolina
Entry-level budget analysts (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $129K or more, a $70K spread from bottom to top.
Budget Analysts salary by metro in North Carolina
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $101K | +23% | 210 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | $89K | +9% | 300 |
| Greenville | $84K | +1% | 70 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | $82K | +0% | 180 |
| Raleigh-Cary | $81K | -2% | 540 |
| Asheville | $76K | -7% | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point | $69K | -16% | 80 |
| Winston-Salem | $69K | -16% | 50 |
| Wilmington | $59K | -28% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track budget analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Carolina numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a budget analyst afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Carolina?
Yes — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 24.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,284/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for budget analysts in North Carolina?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new budget analysts typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,543/month. At HUD’s $1,284/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is budget analyst a high-paying job in North Carolina?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $82K locally vs. $92K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does North Carolina compare to the national average for budget analysts?
North Carolina pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $92K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.66), the purchasing-power equivalent is $89K — below the national median.
How much do budget analysts make in North Carolina?
The median is $82,350 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,050, and experienced budget analysts can clear $128,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in North Carolina?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,218/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,284/month, which eats 24.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a budget analysts salary go in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a Regional Price Parity of 92.66 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median budget analysts salary is worth about $88,873 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do budget analysts get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.