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Cost Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cost Analyst

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD · On-site

$66K - $157K/yr

Perform cost analysis work. Work will include mastery of integrated cost analysis and cost estimating for life cycle cost estimate development, procurement, and operations as it relates to Research ...

We are seeking a Cost Analyst to support the Department of State IT Governance Support Services Bureau of Consular Affairs. This position supports the decision-making framework for addressing several ...

Cost Analyst

Fort Belvoir, VA · On-site

$78K - $165K/yr

Cost Analyst Job Category: Finance and Accounting Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: Secret Employee Type: Regular Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10% Type of Travel:

Cost Analyst The Cost Analyst position supports project teams by analyzing cost and revenue data in order to provide timely & reliable financial information that is meaningful to project management ...

Cost Analyst * Location: Chantilly, VA * Clearance: Top Secret * Position Type: Permanent position * Travel: None Desired experience: * Apply the principles, theories, and methods of cost estimation ...

Cost Analyst

Houston, TX · On-site

$55K - $68K/yr

Cost Analyst Location: Houston, TXJob Overview We are seeking two highly motivated entry-level Cost Analysts to join our team in Houston, TX. This role will provide key support in analyzing and ...

We are seeking a Cost Analyst to support the Department of State IT Governance Support Services Bureau of Consular Affairs. This position supports the decision-making framework for addressing several ...

The Cost Analyst provides detailed cost analysis support on Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) industrial plant projects. DRI plant projects can vary in types, sizes, complexities, and level of risks. The ...

Cost Analyst * Location: Chantilly, VA * Clearance: Top Secret * Position Type: Permanent position * Travel: None Desired experience: * Apply the principles, theories, and methods of cost estimation ...

Cost Analyst

San Diego, CA · On-site

$55K - $80K/yr

The position requires 2 years of experience in cost analysis/cost estimating. Successful candidates will have excellent communication, quantitative, research, and analytical skills in addition to the ...

The Cost Analyst provides detailed cost analysis support on Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) industrial plant projects. DRI plant projects can vary in types, sizes, complexities, and level of risks. The ...

Cost Analyst

Mclean, VA

$69K - $158K/yr

Cost Analyst The Opportunity: Do you want to use your analysis skills to help the Navy get the most out of its funding? When it comes to considering the costs of building and maintaining systems, you ...

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Summary We are seeking a qualified professional with solid experience in Cost Analysis and/or Indirect Procurement. This role requires strong project leadership capabilities and ...

Cost Analyst The Opportunity: Do you want to use your analysis skills to help the Navy get the most out of its funding? When it comes to considering the costs of building and maintaining systems, you ...

Cost Analyst The Opportunity: Do you want to use your analysis skills to help the Navy get the most out of its funding? When it comes to considering the costs of building and maintaining systems, you ...

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Cost Analyst information

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$37K

$86.3K

$127.5K

How much do cost analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for cost analyst in the United States is $86,312.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $100,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Cost Analysts in managing project budgets, and how can they be addressed?

Cost Analysts often encounter challenges such as incomplete data, shifting project scopes, and unexpected expenses that can impact budget accuracy. To address these issues, it's important to maintain clear communication with project managers and department heads, use reliable forecasting tools, and regularly review financial reports for discrepancies. Proactively identifying potential cost overruns and suggesting corrective actions helps ensure projects stay within budget and meet organizational financial goals.

What degree do you need to be a cost analyst?

A cost analyst typically needs at least a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or professional certifications such as the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Strong analytical skills and proficiency with spreadsheets and data analysis tools are also important.

What is the difference between Cost Analyst vs Financial Analyst?

AspectCost AnalystFinancial Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's in finance, accounting, or related field; often certifications like CMA or CPABachelor's in finance, economics, or related; certifications like CFA are common
Work EnvironmentCorporate finance, manufacturing, or government agencies focusing on cost controlInvestment firms, banks, or corporate finance departments analyzing financial data
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in industries with cost management needs such as manufacturing and logisticsUsed across finance sectors including banking, investment, and corporate finance

The main difference between a Cost Analyst and a Financial Analyst lies in their focus areas. Cost Analysts primarily concentrate on controlling and reducing costs within organizations, often working closely with operations. Financial Analysts analyze financial data to guide investment and business decisions. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Cost Analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Cost Analyst, you need strong analytical skills, a solid grasp of accounting principles, and typically a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. Proficiency in Excel, ERP systems (like SAP), and cost accounting software, along with certifications such as CMA (Certified Management Accountant), are often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for interpreting data and presenting findings to stakeholders. These competencies are essential for delivering accurate cost analyses that support informed business decisions and enhance organizational efficiency.

What does a cost analyst do?

A cost analyst evaluates and monitors a company's expenses and financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve budgeting accuracy. They analyze financial reports, use spreadsheets and financial software, and often collaborate with other departments to ensure cost efficiency and financial performance. Strong analytical skills and attention to detail are essential for this role.

Is a budget analyst an entry level job?

A budget analyst is often an entry-level position that requires a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. However, some roles may prefer or require prior experience or certifications, and advancement can involve developing skills in financial analysis and budgeting tools. Entry-level budget analyst roles typically involve supporting senior analysts and learning industry standards.

What Does a Cost Analyst Do?

A cost analyst helps their company control expenses through financial research and analysis. In this job, your duties include analyzing the difference between company costs and standard costs, developing budgets, auditing financial transactions, conducting market research, and preparing reports for company leadership. One of your goals is to determine how to lower costs for the company. The qualifications for a career as a cost analyst include a bachelor’s degree in business administration or accounting, experience in cost accounting, and excellent analytical skills. Some employers may also require you to be a certified public accountant (CPA) to qualify for this job.

How much does a cost analyst make in the US?

A cost analyst in the US typically earns an average salary of around $65,000 to $75,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting lower and experienced analysts earning more. Salaries can vary based on industry, location, education, and certifications such as Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
What cities are hiring for Cost Analyst jobs? Cities with the most Cost Analyst job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Cost Analyst jobs? The most popular types of Cost Analyst jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Cost Analyst jobs? The top employers for Cost Analyst jobs are:
What states have the most Cost Analyst jobs? States with the most job openings for Cost Analyst jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Cost Analyst jobs? For Cost Analyst jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Cost Analyst job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% Internship, 59% Full Time, 35% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 81% Physical, 8% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,312 per year, or $41.5 per hour.
Cost Analyst

Cost Analyst

RSC2, Inc

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD • On-site

$66K - $157K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Founded in 2009, RSC2, Inc. is a Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified HUBZone Professional Services company headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. RSC2 provides breakthrough expertise, support services, and technologies to make operations, programs and systems of record perform better. Our professional staff is trained to provide world-class services to all types of customers. We uphold the integrity and quality of our work so you can expect only the best from us.
RSC2 is currently looking for a Cost Analyst to join our growing team in APG, MD to support our customer.
Requirements
Responsibilities:
  • Serve as a senior cost analyst responsible for adhering to cost regulations, analyzing, and evaluating costs, policies, regulations, and procedures relative to the life-cycle development, acquisition, deployment, and operation.
  • Perform cost analysis work. Work will include mastery of integrated cost analysis and cost estimating for life cycle cost estimate development, procurement, and operations as it relates to Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE), Procurement (OPA), and Operations (OMA) funding consistent with DoD Financial laws, regulations, and guidance.
  • Develop and recommend changes to estimates and policy/guidance independently while prioritizing and analyzing projects to assure funding and accomplishment of the mission.
  • Cost estimate development and validation will be performed on programs routinely exceeding a billion dollars in life cycle costs and will influence development of budget/Program Objective Memorandum (POM) within the five-year defense plan and for costs beyond the POM.
  • Routinely perform tasks with minimal supervisory interaction and provide sound recommendations as it relates to estimate, policies, procedures, regulations and/or public law.
  • Review and interpret proposed and new regulations and provide updated guidance and procedures within the organization. Appropriations will include RDTE, Procurement, and Operations and Maintenance, Army (OMA) to derive production investment and total life cycle costs.
  • Participate with numerous government activities throughout DoD in the development production and/or acquisition of systems; numerous interface requirements with other weapon systems or with government activities within and external to DoD, and with multiple contractors, Services and Agencies engaged in the development and production of the systems. Assigned areas relate to significant tasks involving studies, analyses, and reports required to support assigned programs (e.g., Work Breakdown Structures Program Networks, Design-to-Cost, Baseline Cost Estimates Schedule Risk Analysis, Cost Estimates) by applying new analytical techniques or adapting existing evaluative methods for specific and specialized problems.
  • Evaluates programs to identify, integrate, and synthesize all divergent aspects of the total system cost analysis/cost estimating program, including receipt and adaption of inputs from various related programs and functions.
  • Recommends POM and other budget positions and participates in cost analysis studies that require the identification and correlation of operations, and cost factors in a great variety of operational situations associated with systems development, production, and deployment efforts.
  • Leads development of cost plans and procedures to include studies consisting of comparative analyses of cost models for alternative systems including correlation between schedules, technical requirements and cost; comparative analysis of relationships among cost growths, contract changes and funding arrangements; independent studies and estimates for initial production and production changes; analyses of cause and effect cost relationships arising from diversity in specific operational program objectives and similar studies; and life-cycle cost estimates to ensure accurate data and budgetary needs.
  • Develops program cost estimates to use in the POM and later fiscal years for all estimated appropriations such as RDT&E, Procurement and Operations and System Maintenance by identifiable work breakdown structure consistent with Military Standard (MIL-STD) and capabilities requirements inclusive of quantity; life cycle sustainment plan; Acquisition Strategy, Test and Evaluation Management Plan to provide an estimated cost of the program and future budgetary needs.
  • Integrates a full suite of estimation tools, guidance, and provides inclusion of actuals from available systems and contracts to develop a sound estimating approach and cost estimate to assure the most precise cost projection possible of the eventual cost for inclusion in POM and beyond.
  • Projects future costs and makes recommendations to reallocate budget dollars to improve productivity.
  • Develops unique program variance analysis to reflect pertinent variances for estimation and future budget goals.
  • Makes sound program recommendations and assessments of program performance to management and key stakeholders based on mastery of the subject matter and analysis of capability increases/ decreases, contractor, cost/increases decreases, items added/deleted, other cost increases/decreases.
  • Integrates contractor cost information reported by each major contractor, which includes RDT&E and production contracts information, to assess contractor cost data (e.g., categories of information as cost to date scheduled/budget land actual, price at completion budgeted/contractor estimated, and Project Manager estimate) which includes an estimate of work requirements not yet authorized to the contractor. Reviews future work plans from government and provides a sound path forward for program funding and completion.

Requirements:
  • Eight (8) or more years exp. As a cost/price analyst and working knowledge of DoDi 5000 & Defense Acquisition.
  • Secret Clearance
  • BA/BS or higher.
  • An additional 8 years experience in a related field may be substituted for education.
  • A Masters degree or higher may be substituted for 3 years of experience as long as their degree is in a related field.

Work Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
Employment Type: Full-time, Salary-Exempt
Benefits Package: We offer a top tier benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, PTO, employer matching retirement plan, and more!
We are an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex,?sexual orientation, gender identity,?national origin, disability, veteran status,?or any other?protected characteristic.
Salary at RSC2 is determined by various factors including but not limited to location, the particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $66,000 to $157,000 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical total compensation range for this position.
Salary Description
$66,000 - $157,000 per/yr

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About RSC2

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Business management consulting

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Baltimore, MD, US

Year founded

2009

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