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Fundraiser: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$72,550median pay per year, or $34.88 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $46,630lowest 10% earn less
  2. $57,48025th percentile
  3. $72,550median
  4. $92,18075th percentile
  5. $115,820top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A development officer, listed by BLS as a fundraiser, had a median pay of $72,550 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+5.5%[2]
Openings per year
10,000[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do fundraisers make?

The median wage for fundraisers was $72,550 a year, or $34.88 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $77,200 a year, or $37.12 an hour[8]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].

Pay varies a lot within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $46,630 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $57,480[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $92,180, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $115,820[4]. BLS explains that a percentile is a boundary and that it does not publish a starting salary[9].

Measure Annual Hourly
10th percentile[4][10] $46,630 $22.42
25th percentile[4][10] $57,480 $27.63
Median[1] $72,550 $34.88
75th percentile[4][10] $92,180 $44.32
90th percentile[4][10] $115,820 $55.68

These wages cover part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses or the cost of benefits[11].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage at $80,840, followed by New York at $80,540, Maryland at $79,780 and California at $79,710[12]. Arkansas had the lowest published median among the states and DC, at $50,190[12].

California had the most fundraiser jobs at 12,860, followed by New York at 11,600 and Pennsylvania at 6,180[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $106,760, followed by Logan, UT-ID at $84,090[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs, 9,520, with a median of $82,180[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[12]$80,8402,350
New York$80,54011,600
Maryland$79,7802,010
California$79,71012,860
Massachusetts$79,0606,160
Washington$79,0003,870
Connecticut$77,7301,350
New Jersey$77,1701,950
Minnesota$76,9103,190
North Dakota$76,040340
Rhode Island$75,4101,000
Colorado$74,4402,470
Virginia$72,6104,010
Vermont$72,530510
Louisiana$72,030330
Georgia$72,0102,690
Wyoming$71,31090
Delaware$71,250320
Nevada$68,530310
Kentucky$68,2701,030
Nebraska$68,030770
South Dakota$66,80080
Maine$66,790930
Illinois$66,4404,470
New Hampshire$66,260810
Indiana$66,2502,080
Michigan$66,1303,170
North Carolina$66,1003,700
Wisconsin$65,8802,130
New Mexico$65,440330
Kansas$64,8201,100
Florida$64,390n/a
Arizona$64,1801,580
Ohio$64,0803,460
Oregon$64,0802,090
Oklahoma$63,950950
Iowa$63,9301,230
Missouri$63,8601,670
Hawaii$63,750440
Pennsylvania$63,7306,180
Alaska$62,750290
South Carolina$62,7201,200
Utah$61,820920
Tennessee$61,3701,930
Montana$61,280700
Idaho$61,150380
Texas$60,3204,020
Alabama$60,1201,120
Mississippi$57,610230
West Virginia$54,760260
Arkansas$50,190360

How to become a fundraiser

In an ONET survey of 21 workers, 90% said a bachelor's degree is required for the job[19]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Four, where a considerable amount of preparation is needed[20]. Our facts do not say how long it takes to qualify.

What fundraisers do

Fundraisers organize activities to gather donations and gifts for an organization[21]. Typical tasks reported to O*NET include:

OOH names several important qualities: communication, decision-making, attention to detail, interpersonal skills and organization[23][24][25][26][27]. Workers use job titles such as Development Associate, Philanthropy Officer and Principal Gifts Officer[28].

Where they work

Many fundraisers are employed directly by the organization they raise money for, and some work for consulting firms with many clients[29]. Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional and similar organizations were the largest employer group, at 41% of jobs in 2025[30]. Only 0.5% of fundraisers were self-employed in 2025[31].

Much of the day goes to talking with possible donors in person, by phone or by email[32]. Fundraisers may travel to meet donors and to attend events such as galas, concerts and charity runs[32]. OOH says most fundraisers work full time, and some attend events in the evenings or on weekends, which can add hours[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects that fundraiser employment will grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 140,900 to 148,700 jobs, a gain of 7,800[2]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[3]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 10,000 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.7% of fundraisers are projected to leave the labor force and 3.7% to move to a different occupation[34].

OEWS counted about 111,040 wage and salary fundraisers in May 2025[35]. That survey does not cover the self-employed, while the projection counts do[35][2].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job that typically starts with a bachelor's degree and pays a median above the all-occupations median[7][1][5]. Pay spreads widely, from $46,630 at the 10th percentile to $115,820 at the 90th[4]. Growth is projected to be faster than for all occupations[2][3]. The work centers on talking with donors, planning campaigns and keeping careful records[22][32]. Some evening or weekend event work may be part of the job[33].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fundraiser make an hour?
The median wage was $34.88 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $22.42 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $55.68[10].
What degree do you need to be a fundraiser?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry[7]. Common fields include communications, business and social science[16].
Is fundraising in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][3]. About 10,000 openings a year are projected[6].
What is the highest paying state for fundraisers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage at $80,840[12]. New York was next at $80,540[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Fundraisers in the US was $72,550 per year and $34.88 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Fundraisers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 140,900 to 148,700 jobs (a change of +7,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Fundraisers: 10th percentile $46,630, 25th percentile $57,480, 75th percentile $92,180, 90th percentile $115,820. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 10,000 openings for Fundraisers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Fundraisers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Fundraisers was $77,200 per year and $37.12 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Fundraisers: 10th percentile $22.42, 25th percentile $27.63, 75th percentile $44.32, 90th percentile $55.68. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Fundraisers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Fundraisers jobs: California 12,860; New York 11,600; Pennsylvania 6,180; Massachusetts 6,160; Illinois 4,470. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Fundraisers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $106,760; Logan, UT-ID $84,090; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $83,830; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $82,930; Amherst Town-Northampton, MA $82,340; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $82,310; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $82,180; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $81,910. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Fundraisers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 9,520 (median $82,180); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 4,620 (median $80,340); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,450 (median $80,610); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 4,230 (median $77,550); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 3,540 (median $72,550); San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA 3,020 (median $82,930). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 13-1131.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 90% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  20. O*NET 13-1131.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET description of Fundraisers. O*NET OnLine
  22. O*NET task list for Fundraisers. O*NET OnLine
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET 13-1131.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Contract Grant Writer, Development Associate, Development Officer, Direct Response Consultant, Fundraising Consultant, Grant Coordinator, Philanthropy Officer, Principal Gifts Officer. O*NET OnLine
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of fundraisers in 2025: Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations 41%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 0.5% of Fundraisers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Fundraisers: 2.7% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 111,040 people were employed as Fundraisers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.