Fundraiser Salary in 2026
How Much Do Fundraisers Make?
Fundraisers earn a median annual salary of $66,490 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $43,200 at the 10th percentile to $106,960 at the 90th percentile — a range of $63,760. The highest-paying state is California at $80,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,200 |
| 25th percentile | $52,590 |
| Median (50th) | $66,490 |
| 75th percentile | $85,280 |
| 90th percentile | $106,960 |
Fundraiser Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $80,810 |
| New York | $77,480 |
| Minnesota | $76,020 |
| Massachusetts | $74,370 |
| Nebraska | $74,270 |
| New Jersey | $74,230 |
| Washington | $73,840 |
| Colorado | $73,280 |
| Maryland | $72,740 |
| Connecticut | $71,850 |
| District of Columbia | $70,860 |
| New Hampshire | $70,220 |
| North Dakota | $70,210 |
| Vermont | $69,950 |
| Delaware | $67,560 |
| Rhode Island | $67,390 |
| Virginia | $67,010 |
| Indiana | $65,710 |
| Maine | $65,620 |
| Georgia | $65,420 |
| South Dakota | $64,910 |
| Wisconsin | $64,000 |
| Michigan | $63,990 |
| New Mexico | $63,740 |
| Illinois | $63,360 |
| Oklahoma | $63,330 |
| North Carolina | $62,990 |
| Nevada | $62,670 |
| Florida | $62,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,360 |
| Kansas | $62,290 |
| South Carolina | $62,240 |
| Ohio | $62,190 |
| Arizona | $62,010 |
| Alaska | $61,990 |
| Oregon | $61,760 |
| Missouri | $61,640 |
| Hawaii | $61,030 |
| Kentucky | $60,680 |
| Utah | $60,610 |
| Wyoming | $60,520 |
| Idaho | $60,220 |
| Iowa | $59,890 |
| Montana | $59,750 |
| Texas | $58,320 |
| Alabama | $55,920 |
| Mississippi | $52,040 |
| West Virginia | $51,340 |
| Tennessee | $48,170 |
| Louisiana | $47,820 |
| Arkansas | $46,670 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Fundraisers
Fundraiser Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$43,200 – $52,590 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$66,490 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$85,280 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $106,960+ |
How to Earn More as a Fundraiser
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Fundraisers in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $104,000 — $37,510 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($85,280) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Fundraiser Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Fundraiserthis career | $66,490 |
| Chief Executive | $206,420 |
| Advertising and Promotions Manager | $126,960 |
| Marketing Manager | $161,030 |
| Sales Manager | $138,060 |
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SOC: 13-1131.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.