Foundation Development Specialist III Salary in the United States

How much does a Foundation Development Specialist III make in the United States?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Foundation Development Specialist III in the United States is $91,430 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $44.

However, a Foundation Development Specialist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $102,759
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,440 to $97,360
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,613
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,440 10% $66,613 90% $102,759 75% $97,360 $91,430 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Foundation Development Specialist III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $97,360 $8,113 $1,872 $47
Average $91,430 $7,619 $1,758 $44
25th Percentile $78,440 $6,537 $1,508 $38
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Key Factors That Influence Foundation Development Specialist III Salaries

A Foundation Development Specialist III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Foundation Development Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Foundation Development Specialist III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Fundraising and Membership Development Coordinator I (0-2 years): $50,276
  • Donor Relations Coordinator II (2-4 years): $61,538
  • Foundation Development Specialist III (4-7 years): $91,423
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Fundraising and Membership Development Coordinator I0-2 years$50,276
Donor Relations Coordinator II2-4 years$61,538
Foundation Development Specialist III4-7 years$91,423
$50,276 Fundraisi...
$61,538 Donor Rel...
$91,423 Foundatio...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Foundation Development Specialist III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Foundation Development Specialist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $101,230.
  • California: $100,840.
  • Massachusetts: $99,500.

Top Paying Cities for Foundation Development Specialist IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $115,320
  • San Francisco: $114,050
  • Oakland: $111,650

What Skills Can Increase a Foundation Development Specialist III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Coordination (Mentioned in 4.86% Job Postings): Ability to plan, execute, and adjust job duties to achieve business goals.
  • Fundraising (Mentioned in 3.24% Job Postings): Fundraising or fund-raising (also known as "development" or "advancement") is the process of seeking and gathering voluntary financial contributions by engaging individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies. Although fundraising typically refers to efforts to gather money for non-profit organizations, it is sometimes used to refer to the identification and solicitation of investors or other sources of capital for for-profit enterprises. Traditionally, fundraising consisted mostly of asking for donations on the street or at people's doors, and this is experiencing very strong growth in the form of face-to-face fundraising, but new forms of fundraising, such as online fundraising, have emerged in recent years, though these are often based on older methods such as grassroots fundraising.
  • Logistics (Mentioned in 1.44% Job Postings): In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Coordination 4.86%
Fundraising 3.24%
Logistics 1.44%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Foundation Development Specialist III's salary.
  • Data Capture: Can increase your salary by up to 39%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Data Capture
$127,088
39%
Scheduling
$99,659
9%
Leadership
$96,916
6%
Donor Relations
$95,087
4%
Data Analysis
$95,087
4%
Project Management
$93,259
2%
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Foundation Development Specialist III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Foundation Development Specialist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $97,106. While startup companies pay approximate $82,707.

Foundation Development Specialist III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$82,707
Growth Stage51~500$87,317
Established501~5000$93,935
Enterprise5000+$97,106

Foundation Development Specialist III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Foundation Development Specialist III roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Foundation Development Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Foundation Development Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Foundation Development Specialist III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$100,573$48.010%

Foundation Development Specialist III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Foundation Development Specialist III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on July 01, 2026

Foundation Development Specialist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Foundation Development Specialist III, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Foundation Development Specialist III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Major Gifts Development Officer $120,700 32%
Supervisor of Development, Non-Profit Organization $79,110 -13%

Salary Trends for Foundation Development Specialist III

Salaries for a Foundation Development Specialist III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $73,341 in 2023 to around $72,346 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Foundation Development Specialist III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Foundation Development Specialist III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$73,341
2024
$73,068
2025
$72,346
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $73,341
2024 $73,068
2025 $72,346
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Foundation Development Specialist III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Foundation Development Specialist III

Here are companies hiring for Foundation Development Specialist III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Foundation Development Specialist III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Foundation Development Specialist III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Foundation Development Specialist III?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Foundation Development Specialist III roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. How much does a 4 year specialist make?

A Foundation Development Specialist with four years of experience typically earns between $78,360 and $105,370 annually, with a median salary of $89,330. In top-paying cities like San Francisco, the annual salary can reach around $90,089, translating to approximately $7,507 monthly.

3. How much do foundation managers make?

Foundation Development Specialists typically earn between $78,360 and $105,370 annually, with a median salary of $89,330. In comparison, foundation managers in top-paying cities like San Francisco can earn around $96,187 per year, reflecting the competitive nature of salaries in this field.

4. How much does an operations specialist III make?

The estimated total pay for a Foundation Development Specialist is approximately $89,330 per year, with a salary range from $78,360 to $105,370. These figures represent the midpoint and range based on collected salary data, reflecting the compensation for this role in the industry.

5. Who is the highest paid specialist?

The highest-paid specialist in the Foundation Development field is the Foundation Development Specialist, with a maximum salary of $105,370. This role involves securing funding and managing donor relationships, requiring expertise in fundraising strategies. The average salary for this position ranges from $78,360 to $89,330, reflecting the importance of their contributions to organizational success.

6. How do foundations pay employees?

Foundations pay employees similarly to for-profit organizations, adhering to minimum wage and labor laws. For a Foundation Development Specialist, salaries range from $78,360 to $105,370, with a midpoint of $89,330. While payroll structures are alike, nonprofits may have specific exemptions if classified as 501c3.

7. What is the highest paying labor job in the US?

The highest paying labor jobs in the U.S. include roles such as air traffic controller and construction manager. For specialized positions like Foundation Development Specialist, salaries range from a minimum of $78,360 to a maximum of $105,370, with a mid-salary of $89,330, reflecting the competitive nature of skilled labor in the industry.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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