How much does a fundraiser make?
The median fundraiser in the United States earns $72,550 per year, about $34.88 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all fundraisers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1131.
Fundraiser salary range
Pay for fundraisers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $46,630 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $115,820. The average (mean) wage of $77,200 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,630 | $22.42 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $57,480 | $27.63 | |
| Median (50th) | $72,550 | $34.88 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $92,180 | $44.32 | |
| 90th percentile | $115,820 | $55.68 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for fundraisers (SOC 13-1131), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Fundraiser salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Fundraisers earn the most in District of Columbia at $80,840 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $50,190. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $80,840 | 2,350 |
| New York | $80,540 | 11,600 |
| Maryland | $79,780 | 2,010 |
| California | $79,710 | 12,860 |
| Massachusetts | $79,060 | 6,160 |
| Washington | $79,000 | 3,870 |
| Connecticut | $77,730 | 1,350 |
| New Jersey | $77,170 | 1,950 |
| Minnesota | $76,910 | 3,190 |
| North Dakota | $76,040 | 340 |
| Rhode Island | $75,410 | 1,000 |
| Colorado | $74,440 | 2,470 |
| Virginia | $72,610 | 4,010 |
| Vermont | $72,530 | 510 |
| Louisiana | $72,030 | 330 |
| Georgia | $72,010 | 2,690 |
| Wyoming | $71,310 | 90 |
| Delaware | $71,250 | 320 |
| Nevada | $68,530 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $68,270 | 1,030 |
| Nebraska | $68,030 | 770 |
| South Dakota | $66,800 | 80 |
| Maine | $66,790 | 930 |
| Illinois | $66,440 | 4,470 |
| New Hampshire | $66,260 | 810 |
| Indiana | $66,250 | 2,080 |
| Michigan | $66,130 | 3,170 |
| North Carolina | $66,100 | 3,700 |
| Wisconsin | $65,880 | 2,130 |
| New Mexico | $65,440 | 330 |
| Kansas | $64,820 | 1,100 |
| Florida | $64,390 | N/A |
| Arizona | $64,180 | 1,580 |
| Ohio | $64,080 | 3,460 |
| Oregon | $64,080 | 2,090 |
| Oklahoma | $63,950 | 950 |
| Iowa | $63,930 | 1,230 |
| Missouri | $63,860 | 1,670 |
| Hawaii | $63,750 | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,730 | 6,180 |
| Alaska | $62,750 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $62,720 | 1,200 |
| Utah | $61,820 | 920 |
| Tennessee | $61,370 | 1,930 |
| Montana | $61,280 | 700 |
| Idaho | $61,150 | 380 |
| Texas | $60,320 | 4,020 |
| Alabama | $60,120 | 1,120 |
| Mississippi | $57,610 | 230 |
| West Virginia | $54,760 | 260 |
| Arkansas | $50,190 | 360 |
State median wages for fundraisers (SOC 13-1131), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for fundraisers
The BLS projects employment of fundraisers to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 140,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 148,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,000 openings a year for fundraisers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a fundraiser
The typical entry-level education for fundraisers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a fundraiser earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $80,840) and the lowest (Arkansas, $50,190) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 111,040 people work as fundraisers in the United States. At $72,550 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Fundraiser salary FAQ
How much does a fundraiser make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a fundraiser is $34.88. The middle half of fundraisers earn between $27.63 and $44.32 per hour.
What is the highest fundraiser salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of fundraisers earn more than $115,820 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a fundraiser make a year?
The median annual salary for a fundraiser is $72,550. The average (mean) wage of $77,200 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a fundraiser a well paid job?
At $72,550 a year, a fundraiser earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 111,040 people work as fundraisers in the United States.
Which state pays fundraisers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for fundraisers at $80,840 a year. New York ($80,540) and Maryland ($79,780) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a fundraiser a good career?
Employment of fundraisers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a fundraiser?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for fundraisers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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