Government Analyst Salary in 2026
Government analysts research and analyze policy issues, budgets, and programs for federal, state, and local agencies. They evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
Median Salary
$72,000
$6,000/mo
Entry Level
$50,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$97,000
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
Government Analyst Overview
Government analysts research and analyze policy issues, budgets, and programs for federal, state, and local agencies. They evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Industry
Government
Total Jobs (US)
280K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Government
Hourly Rate
$34.62/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,000
Government Analyst Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Government Analyst salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Government Analyst Salary
$81,000
$6,750/month · $3,115/biweekly · $38.94/hr
Government Analyst Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Government Analyst field.
Entry-level Government Analysts earn around $50,000, while the top 10% earn $110,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Government Analysts
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $85,000 | +$13,000 |
| New York | $83,000 | +$11,000 |
| Maryland | $78,000 | +$6,000 |
| Virginia | $76,000 | +$4,000 |
| Texas | $71,000 | $-1,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Government Analysts
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $85,000 | +$13,000 |
| Washington DC | $83,000 | +$11,000 |
| Sacramento | $76,000 | +$4,000 |
| Austin | $74,000 | +$2,000 |
| Annapolis | $72,000 | $0 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Government Analyst Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Government Analyst from entry level to expert.
$50,000
0-2 years
$74,000
3-7 years
$97,000
8-14 years
$123,000
15+ years
Related Government Jobs
Government Analyst Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Government Analyst Salary
How we calculate Government Analyst salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $72,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Government Analyst in the Government sector.
- Entry-level ($50,000) and senior-level ($97,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 280K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Government sector wages.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $72,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Government Analyst compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Government Analyst job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Government
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Government Analyst salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Policy Analysis, Data Analysis, Report Writing), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
Explore More Job Salaries
Compare salary data for hundreds of jobs across all industries. Find out what you should be earning.