Budget Analysts Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, budget analysts earn $108,630 at the median — $52.22 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $132K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $99,844 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 46.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $109K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About budget analysts
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level budget analysts (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $109K.Top earners bring in $132K or more - a $60K spread from bottom to top.
Budget Analysts pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $118K | +34% | 1,720 |
| Virginia | $109K | +24% | 2,940 |
| California | $104K | +18% | 3,700 |
| Maryland | $101K | +15% | 2,870 |
| New Mexico | $100K | +13% | 710 |
| Alabama | $98K | +12% | 940 |
| Oregon | $95K | +8% | 980 |
| Connecticut | $93K | +6% | 760 |
| New Jersey | $93K | +6% | 770 |
| Alaska | $93K | +6% | 300 |
| Michigan | $92K | +4% | 680 |
| Illinois | $91K | +4% | 830 |
| Hawaii | $91K | +3% | 240 |
| Rhode Island | $90K | +3% | 100 |
| Georgia | $90K | +2% | 1,890 |
Track budget analysts salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
Related careers in Business & Finance
Frequently asked questions
How much do budget analysts make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $108,630 a year - that works out to about $52.22 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,910, and experienced budget analysts can clear $131,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $109K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,547/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 47.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a budget analysts salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median budget analysts salary is worth about $99,844 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.