Employment of budget analysts is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012. Employment growth will be driven by the continuing demand for sound financial analysis in both public and private sector organizations. In addition to employment growth, many job openings will result from the need to replace experienced budget analysts who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force.

The expanding use of computer applications in budget analysis increases worker productivity by enabling analysts to process more data in less time. However, because budget analysts now have much more data available to them, their jobs are becoming more complicated. In addition, as businesses and other organizations become more complex and specialized, budget planning and financial control will demand greater attention. These factors should offset any adverse effects of computer applications on employment of budget analysts.

In coming years, all types of organizations will continue to rely heavily on budget analysts to examine, analyze, and develop budgets. Because of the importance of financial analysis performed by budget analysts, employment of these workers has remained relatively unaffected by downsizing in the Nation's workplaces. In addition, because financial and budget reports must be completed during both periods of economic growth and slowdowns, budget analysts usually are less subject to layoffs than are many other workers during economic downturns.