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Major Gifts Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Major Gifts Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Major Gifts Manager in the United States is $120,759 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

However, a Major Gifts Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,302
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $107,487 to $137,270
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $95,404
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Major Gifts Manager Salaries

A Major Gifts 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 Major Gifts Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Major Gifts 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:

  • Major Gifts Coordinator (2-4 years): $77,921
  • Major Gifts Senior Coordinator (4-7 years): $95,733
  • Major Gifts Manager (7+ years): $120,759
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Major Gifts Coordinator2-4 years$77,921
Major Gifts Senior Coordinator4-7 years$95,733
Major Gifts Manager7+ years$120,759
View as Graph

How Do Major Gifts Manager 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 Major Gifts Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $133,704.
  • California: $133,197.
  • Massachusetts: $131,422.

Top Paying Cities for Major Gifts Managers

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: $152,313
  • San Francisco: $150,646
  • Oakland: $147,471

What Skills Can Increase a Major Gifts Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Stewardship (Mentioned in 11.09% Job Postings): Planning and managing processes and resources to promote a culture of highest level of ethical standards and responsibility to the community.
  • Donor Relations (Mentioned in 1.29% Job Postings): Cultivating philanthropic relationships with donors to ensure high-quality donor retention, engagement, and investment.
  • Database Management (Mentioned in 0.68% Job Postings): Designing, implementing, and supporting stored data to maximize value and usage.
Skills Demand Percentage
Stewardship 11.09%
Donor Relations 1.29%
Database Management 0.68%
See More Skills

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 Major Gifts Manager's salary.

  • Customer Relationship Management: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Relationship Management $137,665
14%
Analysis $125,589
4%
Project Management $125,589
4%
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Major Gifts Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Major Gifts Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $131,750. While startup companies pay approximate $111,764.

Major Gifts Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $111,764
Growth Stage 51~500 $118,122
Established 501~5000 $127,304
Enterprise 5000+ $131,750

Major Gifts Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Major Gifts Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Major Gifts Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Major Gifts Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Major Gifts Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Energy & Utilities$193,214$93.060%
Healthcare$156,987$75.030%

How Education impacts a Major Gifts Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Major Gifts 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 Major Gifts Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $117,667 and $127,829.

Major Gifts Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Major Gifts Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 1.8%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 50.0%
Masters 41.8%
Doctorate 2.7%
View as Graph

Major Gifts Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Major Gifts 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 September 01, 2026
$107,487
Average $120,759/year
$137,270
$8,957
Average $10,063/month
$11,439
$2,067
Average $2,322/week
$2,640
$52
Average $58/hour
$66
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $137,270 $11,439 $2,640 $66
Average $120,759 $10,063 $2,322 $58
25th Percentile $107,487 $8,957 $2,067 $52

Major Gifts Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Major Gifts Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Major Gifts 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 $110,463 - a projected growth of -9% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Major Gifts Manager

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

Common company salaries for Major Gifts Manager

Here are companies hiring for Major Gifts Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Major Gifts Manager

1. Where can a Major Gifts Manager earn the most?

A Major Gifts 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 Major Gifts Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Major Gifts Manager is $152,313.

2. What is the highest pay for Major Gifts Manager?

The highest pay for Major Gifts Manager is $152,302.

3. What is the lowest pay for Major Gifts Manager?

The lowest pay for Major Gifts Manager is $95,404.

4. What are the responsibilities of Major Gifts Manager?

Manages and implements a philanthropic gift program to nurture and solicit relationships with corporate, institutional, and major donors. Develops a portfolio of existing and potential donors and a strategy to enhance and extend relationships to generate philanthropic revenue. Organizes events and meetings with prospects to raise awareness of the organization's mission and highlight accomplishments and ongoing funding needs. Makes regular personal contact with key contributors to strengthen relations with the organization. Oversees proposal preparation and ensures compliance with regulatory requirements. 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 Major Gifts Manager?

The Energy & Utilities industry offers the highest average compensation for Major Gifts Manager roles, with salaries approximately 60% 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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