Budget Analyst salary in Columbia, SC
Budget Analysts in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $82,980 a year ($39.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $91,640. Pay here is 4% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $86,260. There are 0.29 budget analysts per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $87,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for budget analysts in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| 25th percentile | $72,270 | $34.74 |
| Median | $82,980 | $39.89 |
| 75th percentile | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,920 | $55.73 |
| Average (mean) | $87,570 | $42.10 |
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 | $6,915 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,457.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,191.54 |
| Weekly | $1,595.77 |
| Hourly | $39.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $97,470 | 180 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $89,410 | 300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $84,260 | 60 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $79,440 | 100 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $69,210 | $33.27 |
| Loan Officer | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| Financial and Investment Analysts | $87,630 | $42.13 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $94,130 | $45.26 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Tax Preparer | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Credit Analyst | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Financial Risk Specialist | $94,620 | $45.49 |
| Financial Examiner | $90,260 | $43.40 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $73,210 | $35.20 |
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,260 | $40.99 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for budget analysts in the Columbia, SC metro area is $82,980 a year, or $39.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid budget analysts make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of budget analysts in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $115,920 a year. The top 25% earn $103,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for budget analysts in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,770 a year, and a quarter of budget analysts earn $72,270 or less.
How many budget analysts work in Columbia, SC?
About 110 budget analysts are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.