Salary AI Book a Demo

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salary in the United States

How much does a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. in the United States is $69,046 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,449
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,437 to $79,202
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,509
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries

A Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.'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 Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $66,207
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,548
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $67,683
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $69,046
  • Expert (over 8 years): $71,623
Levels Salary
Entry Level Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.$66,207
Intermediate Level Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.$66,548
Senior Level Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.$67,683
Specialist Level Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.$69,046
Expert Level Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.$71,623
View as Graph

How Do Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.s 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 Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $76,448.
  • California: $76,158.
  • Massachusetts: $75,143.

Top Paying Cities for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.

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: $87,088
  • San Francisco: $86,134
  • Oakland: $84,319

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,255. While startup companies pay approximate $60,886.

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,886
Growth Stage 51~500 $64,239
Established 501~5000 $68,980
Enterprise 5000+ $71,255

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 0% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 6% above the average. Conversely, Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$73,189$35.06%

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.'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
$61,437
Average $69,046/year
$79,202
$5,120
Average $5,754/month
$6,600
$1,181
Average $1,328/week
$1,523
$30
Average $33/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $79,202 $6,600 $1,523 $38
Average $69,046 $5,754 $1,328 $33
25th Percentile $61,437 $5,120 $1,181 $30

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Salary Growth & Career Path

Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.

Next Role

For a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed., the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Development - Higher Ed. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $168,391 - a projected growth of 144% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.

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

Common company salaries for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.

Here are companies hiring for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.

1. Where can a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. earn the most?

A Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.'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 Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. is $87,088.

2. What is the highest pay for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.?

The highest pay for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. is $88,449.

3. What is the lowest pay for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.?

The lowest pay for Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed. is $54,509.

4. What are the responsibilities of Donor Relations Manager - Higher Ed.?

Designs, implements, and leads donor recognition programs. Responsible for developing and implementing engagement and fundraising strategies to enhance and grow donations. Designs and executes a comprehensive stewardship program that promotes interaction with donors at all levels. Oversees all donor communications including acknowledgments, updates, invitations, fundraising materials, and press releases. 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.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst