BUDGET ANALYST 3
Career Family: BUDGET ANALYST
To land Budget Analyst 3 in New Jersey you go through the competitive route: you sit an announced exam and the score puts you on the eligible list agencies hire from.
On pay it sits at the foot of the Budget Analyst ladder. One promotion up is Budget Analyst 2, whose band tops out about $16,606 higher. A bachelor's degree is the listed credential, and extra years on the job can be traded for it. The FY2026 range lands between $56,253 and $81,897, and state payroll currently lists 4 people in the title, most of them at Military and Veterans Affairs.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Budget Analyst 3 on the NJ Civil Service Commission jobs portal. Announcements run for a fixed filing window.
- Apply during that window and sit the examination. Depending on the title, that can be a written test, a rating of your training and experience, or a mix of the two.
- Passing scores go onto a ranked eligible list. Veterans get preference points added on top of their score.
- When an agency has a vacancy it must appoint from the top of that list under the "Rule of Three." Many competitive jobs are first filled provisionally while the list is being built.
Read the official specification at NJ Civil Service Commission.
Pay ladder: Budget Analyst series
- Budget Analyst 3 — $56,253 – $81,897 (this title)
- Budget Analyst 2 — $67,312 – $98,503
- Budget Analyst 1 — $80,756 – $118,678
Promoting to Budget Analyst 2 raises the top of the band by about $16,606. Its top salary lands around the 22nd percentile of all NJ civil service titles that publish a range.
Rungs are ordered by FY2026 pay. NJ level numbers are not always sequential, so ordering follows salary rather than the title number.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 4 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $63,946. The agencies employing the most are:
- Military and Veterans Affairs (4)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under supervision of a Budget Analyst 1, or other supervisor in a state department or agency, makes analyses of budget requests, work programs, and special expenditure requests; does related work as required.
Examples of work
Assists in or performs detailed analyses to determine budget requirements, and studies expenditures and financial requests, and makes interpretations of the necessary and advisability of such requests for funds. Makes inspections and visits to assigned units in order to maintain liaison and to acquire familiarity with operations. If assigned to the Department of the Treasury, collects information and statistical data for use in budget review and in the preparation of the budget message or requests; reviews personnel action forms for funds and the necessity and advisability of the request. Maintains work program controls and reviews request for the transfer and allocation of funds. When assigned to the Department of the Treasury, assists budget bureau staff in special studies and assignments and in the preparation of detailed reports containing findings and recommendations; attends budget hearings and acts as the representative of the Supervisor, Bureau of the Budget or the department concerned on special committees as assigned. Prepares statistical, financial, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of modern budget practices, procedures, problems, and analysis. Knowledge of the laws of New Jersey, the pertinent regulations of the federal government, and the rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures of the Department of the Treasury pertaining to budgets and budget control after a period of training. Knowledge of statistical theory, practices, and techniques, and their application to budget preparation and analysis. Ability to organize assigned technical budget analysis and related work and develop effective work methods. Ability to analyze, interpret, and apply basic law and regulations. If assigned to the Department of the Treasury, ability to make continuing studies and analyses of assigned state departments in order to determine budget requirements. Ability to prepare statistical and financial data in proper form for the use of supervisory staff. Ability to use basic information to develop standards to be applied to budgets and to review budget requests critically using basic data. Ability to assist in the review of operating procedures and to provide advice and assistance to department officials on matters pertaining to operating requirements, fiscal procedures, and budget requests. Ability to make field investigations and studies, as required. Ability to prepare estimates of the cost of salary programs, and to review requests for the transfer and allocation of funds. If assigned to the Department of the Treasury, ability to attend and assist with the conduct of department budget hearings. Ability to maintain the required budget controls and detailed records of state and federal funds. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative financial statements and reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain required records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Five (5) years of professional experience in the maintenance or review of budgetary and fiscal records. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range of basic knowledge of the profession's concepts and practices; and is performed with the authority to act and make accurate and informed decisions.