BUDGET ANALYST 2
Career Family: BUDGET ANALYST
Budget Analyst 2 is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
On the Budget Analyst ladder it falls between Budget Analyst 3 and Budget Analyst 1. You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $67,312 to $98,503, and state payroll currently lists 2 people in the title, most of them at Board of the Public Utilities.
How to get hired
- Watch for an open-competitive announcement for Budget Analyst 2 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
- Budget Analyst 2 — $67,312 – $98,503 (this title)
- Budget Analyst 1 — $80,756 – $118,678
Promoting to Budget Analyst 1 raises the top of the band by about $20,175. Its top salary lands around the 42nd 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 2 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $75,110. The agencies employing the most are:
- Board of the Public Utilities (2)
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 higher level supervisory official in a state department, institution, or agency, performs the technical work involved in budget analysis and attendant budget work, including the preparation of detailed analyses and reports; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Makes continuing studies and analyses of assigned state departments to determine accurate budget requirements. Reviews and approves for the Director, or other supervisor, official personnel actions by determining the availability of funds and the necessity and advisability of the requests. Collects information for and prepares statistical and other reports for the use of the supervisor and for inclusion in the annual data and budget message. Organizes data and information with a view toward the development, formulation, implementation and recommendation of standards to be applied. Critically reviews budget requests and advises department officers concerned with operating requirements, fiscal procedures, and budget requests. Maintains the required budget controls to stay within appropriations so that department commitments will not result in unanticipated future requirements. Compiles data and prepares reports. Makes extensive investigations and prepares detailed recommendations relating to proposed expansion, continuation, or elimination of functions, services, positions, and groups of positions. Makes physical inspection of plant and equipment and prepares recommendations concerning replacements and/or repairs. Sets up and maintains control of work programs based on the Appropriation Bill. Reviews requests for the transfer and allocation of funds, determines the factual bases for such requests, and prepares appropriate recommendations for the use of the supervisor. Determines the estimated cost of salary programs authorized by statute and/or by the Department of Personnel in conformance with prescribed rules and regulations; makes the required allocations of funds to the varied department salary accounts. May attend department hearings; prepares pertinent and significant questions; may attend appropriation committee hearings. Compiles and maintains in current condition all changes imposed by regulations and/or legislation which affect the individual state departments or the department concerned. Conducts investigations; and research studies; prepares detailed reports on technical budget matters containing findings, conclusions and recommendations. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees 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 government budget practices, functions, and responsibilities. Knowledge of statistical theory, practice, and techniques and their application to budget preparation and procedures. Ability to read and interpret the laws of New Jersey, the pertinent regulations of the federal government, and the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the department of The Treasury pertaining to budgets and budget controls after a period of training. Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret laws and regulations in accord with established procedures. Ability to develop standards to be used in the review and study of budget requests. Ability to make field investigations and studies of various types. Ability to prepare statistical and financial data in usable form. Ability to use basic information to be applied to the review of budgets and budget requests. Ability to prepare estimates of cost of salary programs, to allocate funds to varied salary accounts, and to review requests for the transfer and allocation of funds. Ability to attend and assist with the conduct of departmental budget hearings. Ability to maintain the required budget controls and detailed records of state and federal funds and to ensure that expenditures do not exceed appropriations. Ability to carry out assigned investigations, surveys, and studies. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports and statements on budget matters. Ability to maintain records and files. Ability 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disaor physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform 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
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. 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. Six (6) years of professional experience in the maintenance and/or review of budgetary and fiscal records. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in business or public administration, accounting, or finance; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.