Budget Analyst (Policy Focused)

Congressional Budget Office; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Job summary

The Congressional Budget Office seeks an analyst for its Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit. The role focuses on multiyear budget projections and cost estimates for education, housing, commerce and banking programs, with emphasis on Justice and Homeland Security portfolios and the U.S. Postal Service.

The analyst will work with Congress, staff, and federal agencies to support budget planning and legislative evaluation in a nonpartisan environment.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in public policy, public administration, economics, or related field or a bachelor’s degree with at least four years’ budgeting or policy analysis experience.
• Experience and maturity to interpret legislative proposals and analyze budgetary effects.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and analyze legislative proposals with precision.
• Explain complex material clearly to colleagues, Congressional staff, Members of Congress, and the public.
• Work on multiple analytical problems simultaneously and meet tight deadlines.
• Collaborate with staff and agency officials to inform policy analysis in a nonpartisan setting.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Excel proficiency

Statistical software

Programming language

Oral and written communication

Independent and collaborative work

Nonpartisan policy analysis

Education

Graduate degree in public policy/public administration/economics

Bachelor’s degree + 4 years budgeting/policy analysis experience

Tools

Excel

Statistical software

Programming language (R/Python)

Job description

CBO’s Budget Analysis Division seeks an analyst for its Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit, which prepares multiyear budget projections and cost estimates for legislative proposals related to education, housing, commerce and banking, community and regional development, and administration of justice programs. The analyst’s portfolio will consist primarily of programs administered by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security and the U.S.Postal Service.

The Congress relies on CBO’s work to prepare its annual budget plans, review the President’s budget proposals, and evaluate the budgetary effects of legislation. CBO’s analysts work closely with Congressional staff and federal agency officials; they have wide-ranging responsibilities and often contribute significantly to the legislative and budget process.

Qualifications

Applicants must have a graduate degree in public policy, public administration, economics, or a closely related field or a bachelor’s degree and at least four years’ experience working in budgeting or policy analysis.

Candidates exceeding those requirements also are encouraged to apply; experience will be considered in determining salary and job responsibilities.

The position requires the following:

• The ability to accurately interpret and analyze legislative proposals;
• Strong quantitative skills—proficiency in Excel is required, and familiarity with statistical software or a programming language is preferred;
• Strong oral and written communication skills, especially the ability to explain complex material clearly and concisely to colleagues, Congressional staff, Members of Congress, and the public;
• The ability to work on several analytical problems simultaneously and to complete projects under tight deadlines;
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively; and
• A desire to contribute to policy analysis in a nonpartisan setting.

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Tier 1 (NACI) investigation.

Salary and Benefits

Salaries at CBO are competitive with those at other organizations and are commensurate with experience, education, and other qualifications. CBO offers excellent benefits and a collegial, respectful work environment.

CBO is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/V/D

• Profile Associate Budget Analyst
• Location Washington D.C, DC, United States, 20515
• Date Opened Jul 29, 2026
• Due Date Aug 24, 2026
• Status Open