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Development and Fundraising Director Salary in California

How much does a Development and Fundraising Director make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Development and Fundraising Director in California is $159,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $77.

However, a Development and Fundraising Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $208,339
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $140,027 to $184,969
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $122,480
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View as table View as graph 25% $140,027 10% $122,480 90% $208,339 75% $184,969 $159,300 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Development and Fundraising Director Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $184,969 $15,414 $3,557 $89
Average $159,300 $13,275 $3,063 $77
25th Percentile $140,027 $11,669 $2,693 $67
Check out Development and Fundraising Director Job Openings in California
Executive Director Philanthropy&amp Fundraising

Confidential - San Diego, CA

Executive Director Philanthropy&amp Fundraising

Confidential - Los Angeles, CA

Executive Director Philanthropy&amp Fundraising

Confidential - San Jose, CA

Executive Director Philanthropy&amp Fundraising

Confidential - San Francisco, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Development and Fundraising Director Salaries

A Development and Fundraising Director'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 Development and Fundraising Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Development and Fundraising Director'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:

  • Development and Fundraising Supervisor (3-5 years): $87,252
  • Development and Fundraising Manager (5+ years): $107,648
  • Development and Fundraising Sr. Manager (5+ years): $121,803
  • Development and Fundraising Director (5+ years): $159,300
  • VP of Development and Fundraising (5+ years): $310,782
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Development and Fundraising Supervisor3-5 years$87,252
Development and Fundraising Manager5+ years$107,648
Development and Fundraising Sr. Manager5+ years$121,803
Development and Fundraising Director5+ years$159,300
VP of Development and Fundraising5+ years$310,782
$87,252 Developme...
$107,648 Developme...
$121,803 Developme...
$159,300 Developme...
$310,782 VP of Dev...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Development and Fundraising Directors

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:

  • Los Angeles: $159,574
  • West Hollywood: $159,459
  • Dodgertown: $159,573

Development and Fundraising Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Development and Fundraising Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $170,071. While startup companies pay approximate $144,600.

Development and Fundraising Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$144,600
Growth Stage51~500$152,736
Established501~5000$164,446
Enterprise5000+$170,071

Development and Fundraising Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Development and Fundraising Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Development and Fundraising Director positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Development and Fundraising Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Development and Fundraising Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$207,090$100.030%

Development and Fundraising Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Development and Fundraising Director'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$140,027
Average $159,300/year
$184,969
$11,669
Average $13,275/month
$15,414
$2,693
Average $3,063/week
$3,557
$67
Average $77/hour
$89
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $184,969 $15,414 $3,557 $89
Average $159,300 $13,275 $3,063 $77
25th Percentile $140,027 $11,669 $2,693 $67

Development and Fundraising Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Development and Fundraising Director
VP of Development and Fundraising

For a Development and Fundraising Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Development and Fundraising role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $310,782 - a projected growth of 95% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Development and Fundraising Director

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Cost of Living In California

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