Who Earns What

How much does a fundraising manager make?

US Fundraising Managers
$125,470

a year · about $60 an hour

A typical fundraising manager in the United States makes $125,470 a year, about $60 an hour, about 2.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

What do they do?

They may start at a desk planning a donation campaign, writing a grant request, or checking progress toward the goal. Later, they might meet donors, plan an event, and guide the fundraising team.

Did you know? Some U.S. fundraising managers specialize in planned gifts and need tax training for donations of stocks, bonds, charitable annuities, or real estate left in a will.

Is that a lot?

Compared with jobs you know
This job$125,470
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $75,130 and $222,350
54 of 100
more than half

How do you become one?

In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree, often in communications, public relations, or business, then build several years of related experience. CFRE certification is optional and requires fundraising experience, education, and an exam.

School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree

Good for people who like leading and selling and keeping things organized

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, pay can differ with experience, location, and the employer’s field—BLS data show differences among industries and states. A specialty such as planned giving calls for extra tax knowledge, and an optional CFRE credential can show professional skill.

Where does it pay most?

Highest in New York ($169,510), lowest in Texas ($96,520).

See every state
Whole US$125,470
New York$169,510
Massachusetts$151,740
Virginia$143,730
District of Columbia$141,720
New Jersey$140,500
Oregon$103,870
Ohio$101,470
Texas$96,520

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Fundraising manager pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$75,130$125,470$222,350about 39,000
States where fundraising managers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
New York$169,510about 4,000
Massachusetts$151,740about 2,000
Virginia$143,730about 880
District of Columbia$141,720about 800
New Jersey$140,500about 750

Official definition: Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY