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Development and Fundraising Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Development and Fundraising Manager make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Development and Fundraising Manager in the United States is $97,607 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $123,102
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,879 to $110,952
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $77,112

Key Factors That Influence Development and Fundraising Manager Salaries

A Development and Fundraising Manager'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Development and Fundraising Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Development and Fundraising Manager'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 Coordinator (2-4 years): $73,854
  • Development and Fundraising Supervisor (3-5 years): $79,101
  • Development and Fundraising Manager (5+ years): $97,607
  • Development and Fundraising Sr. Manager (5+ years): $110,446
  • Development and Fundraising Director (5+ years): $144,447
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Development and Fundraising Coordinator2-4 years$73,854
Development and Fundraising Supervisor3-5 years$79,101
Development and Fundraising Manager5+ years$97,607
Development and Fundraising Sr. Manager5+ years$110,446
Development and Fundraising Director5+ years$144,447

Top Paying Cities for Development and Fundraising Manager

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: $123,112
  • San Francisco: $121,764
  • Oakland: $119,198

What Skills Can Increase a Development and Fundraising Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 3.08% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Donor Relations (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Cultivating philanthropic relationships with donors to ensure high-quality donor retention, engagement, and investment.
  • Grant Writing (Mentioned in 0.69% Job Postings): Grant writing is the practice of completing an application process for a financial grant provided by an institution such as a government department, corporation, foundation, or trust. Such application processes are often referred to as either a grant proposal or a grant submission. Successful grant writing requires a clear understanding of grantsmanship. While the principles and fundamentals of grantsmanship apply broadly, it is important to know the target and to be able to tune the language appropriately. Understanding the creation process of a grant proposal is a big part of the success in grant writing. The basic parts to the proposal creation process include: Analyzing the intended audience for the proposal Analyzing the purpose of the proposal Gathering information about the subject of the proposal Choosing the appropriate type of proposal (in this case, a grant proposal) Writing the proposal Formatting the proposal Revising, editing, and proofreading the proposal Submitting the proposal
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 3.08%
Donor Relations 2.93%
Grant Writing 0.69%

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 Development and Fundraising Manager's salary.

  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Partnering $104,439
7%
Project Management $101,511
4%
Interpersonal Communication $101,511
4%

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

Development and Fundraising Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $104,073. While startup companies pay approximate $88,539.

Development and Fundraising Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $88,539
Growth Stage 51~500 $93,511
Established 501~5000 $100,630
Enterprise 5000+ $104,073

Development and Fundraising Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Development and Fundraising Manager 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, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Development and Fundraising Manager positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Development and Fundraising Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Development and Fundraising Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$107,368$52.010%

How Education impacts an Development and Fundraising Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Development and Fundraising Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Development and Fundraising Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $108,693 and $117,338.

Development and Fundraising Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Development and Fundraising Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 2.7%
Associates 4.4%
Bachelors 54.9%
Masters 35.2%
Doctorate 2.0%

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

Understanding how a Development and Fundraising Manager'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 August 01, 2026
$86,879
Average $97,607/year
$110,952
$7,240
Average $8,134/month
$9,246
$1,671
Average $1,877/week
$2,134
$42
Average $47/hour
$53
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $110,952 $9,246 $2,134 $53
Average $97,607 $8,134 $1,877 $47
25th Percentile $86,879 $7,240 $1,671 $42

Development and Fundraising Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Development and Fundraising Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Development and Fundraising Sr. Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $110,446 - a projected growth of 13% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Development and Fundraising Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Development and Fundraising Manager

Here are companies hiring for Development and Fundraising Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Development and Fundraising Manager

1. Where can a Development and Fundraising Manager earn the most?

A Development and Fundraising Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Development and Fundraising Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Development and Fundraising Manager is $123,112.

2. What is the highest pay for Development and Fundraising Manager?

The highest pay for Development and Fundraising Manager is $123,102.

3. What is the lowest pay for Development and Fundraising Manager?

The lowest pay for Development and Fundraising Manager is $77,112.

4. What are the responsibilities of Development and Fundraising Manager?

Manages an organization's fundraising strategies, campaigns, capital development initiatives, and operations to support the overall organizational development and revenue objectives. Implements donor stewardship programs to identify, develop, retain, and nurture a portfolio of individual and institutional donors. Works to develop potential corporate or governmental partnerships and grant funding opportunities. Creates collaborative coordination between staff and internal stakeholders to plan events and communications to increase donor engagement. Uses technology to manage and monitor donor information and produce data-driven measurement and reporting of the progress of fundraising goals. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Development and Fundraising Manager?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Development and Fundraising Manager roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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