Budget Analyst salary in Ames, IA
Budget Analysts in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $84,030 a year ($40.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,350 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $91,640. Pay here is 3% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $86,550. There are 1.3 budget analysts per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,450, close to the median.
Pay range for budget analysts in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| 25th percentile | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| Median | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| 75th percentile | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,350 | $47.28 |
| Average (mean) | $82,450 | $39.64 |
Half of budget analysts earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,002.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,501.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,231.92 |
| Weekly | $1,615.96 |
| Hourly | $40.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Budget Analyst salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa City, IA | $134,850 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $102,020 | 70 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $91,920 | 180 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $91,450 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for budget analysts
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $124,590 |
| Maryland | $106,020 |
| Virginia | $105,470 |
| California | $99,520 |
| Alabama | $99,490 |
| Colorado | $97,100 |
| Washington | $96,640 |
| Michigan | $96,430 |
| New Jersey | $96,250 |
| Connecticut | $95,440 |
See Budget Analyst pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $78,480 | $37.73 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $90,650 | $43.58 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $90,590 | $43.55 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a budget analyst make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for budget analysts in the Ames, IA metro area is $84,030 a year, or $40.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid budget analysts make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of budget analysts in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $98,350 a year. The top 25% earn $84,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for budget analysts in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,760 a year, and a quarter of budget analysts earn $63,760 or less.
How many budget analysts work in Ames, IA?
About 80 budget analysts are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.