How much does a fundraiser make?
a year · about $35 an hour
A typical fundraiser in the United States makes $72,550 a year, about $35 an hour, about 1.4× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A fundraiser checks donor records, researches people to approach, and writes or sends messages by email or phone. They may plan an online campaign or charity event, meet donors, thank supporters, and track how well the effort worked.
Did you know? Some fundraisers help people give stocks or real estate through a will—not just cash—and need special tax training for these planned gifts.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $46,630 and $115,820How do you become one?
In the United States, fundraisers typically earn a bachelor's degree, often in communications, business, or social science, and build experience through nonprofit internships or volunteering. Some states require registration for certain fundraising work; optional CFRE certification requires education, professional experience, results, and an exam.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like leading and selling and helping and teaching
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ by employer field and location, and experience, useful skills, and greater responsibility can matter too. Planned giving is one specialty that needs extra tax knowledge; some states require registration, and the optional CFRE credential shows further expertise. Fundraisers may also work extra evening or weekend hours for events.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($80,840), lowest in Alabama ($60,120).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $46,630 | $72,550 | $115,820 | about 111,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $80,840 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $80,540 | about 12,000 |
| Maryland | $79,780 | about 2,000 |
| California | $79,710 | about 13,000 |
| Massachusetts | $79,060 | about 6,000 |
Official definition: Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization’s work, goals, and financial needs.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/fundraisers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1131.00
- www.cfre.org/certification/initial-certification
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY