Foundation Specialist Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Foundation Specialist in the United States is $48,668 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,274
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,396 to $53,173
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,596
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,396 10% $38,596 90% $57,274 75% $53,173 $48,668 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Foundation Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $53,173 $4,431 $1,023 $26
Average $48,668 $4,056 $936 $23
25th Percentile $43,396 $3,616 $835 $21
Check out Foundation Specialist Job Openings in the United States
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Local CDL

C.R. England - Columbus, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Foundation Specialist Salaries

A Foundation Specialist'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 Do Foundation Specialist 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 Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $53,885.
  • California: $53,681.
  • Massachusetts: $52,965.

Top Paying Cities for Foundation Specialists

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: $61,385
  • San Francisco: $60,713
  • Oakland: $59,433

What Skills Can Increase a Foundation Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.52% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Logistics (Mentioned in 1.52% 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.
  • Grant Writing (Mentioned in 1.18% 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
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.52%
Logistics 1.52%
Grant Writing 1.18%
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 Specialist's salary.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Corporate Development: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Business Development: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight
$55,968
15%
Corporate Development
$55,482
14%
Business Development
$54,508
12%
Event Planning
$54,022
11%
Project Management
$53,535
10%
Donor Relations
$53,048
9%
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Foundation Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Foundation Specialist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Foundation Specialist positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Foundation Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Foundation Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$58,402$28.020%

How Education impacts a Foundation Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Foundation Specialists enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Foundation Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $49,410 and $51,941).

Foundation Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Foundation Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 4.9%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 63.9%
Masters 25.6%
Doctorate 1.0%
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Foundation Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Foundation Specialist'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

Salary Trends for Foundation Specialist

Salaries for a Foundation Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,205 in 2023 to around $48,662 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Foundation Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Foundation Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,205
2024
$49,303
2025
$48,662
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,205
2024 $49,303
2025 $48,662
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Foundation Specialist

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

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

Find Your Next Foundation Specialist Job

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

United States
  • Maxim Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Maxim Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Private duty nursing (PDN) allows medically fragile patients to receive quality, skilled nursing care in the comfort of their home: a setting preferred by ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • XPO

    Columbus, OH

    CDL

    XPO | Columbus, OH

    XPO is Hiring Driver Teams. XPO Teams. As an XPO Team, you’ll run dedicated routes between XPO facilities in. new sleeper. trucks equipped with microwaves ... more

    13 Days Ago

  • Schneider

    Columbus, OH

    Schneider | Columbus, OH

    CDL-A - Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Dedicated Reefer truck driver - Kroger. Average pay. $1,200-$1,450 weekly. Home time. Daily. Experience. Al... more

    14 Days Ago

  • Summit Recruiting Group

    Columbus, OH

    Summit Recruiting Group | Columbus, OH

    NP/PA Dermatology job opening in Columbus, OHPosition Details. Full-time, permanent opening. Experience required. Well-Established Practice. Seeking a NP/P... more

    15 Days Ago

  • Family Dollar

    Columbus, OH

    Family Dollar | Columbus, OH

    Customer Service Associate. We're seeking a Customer Service Associate to join our team and deliver a great shopping experience for every customer. Duties ... more

    16 Days Ago

  • GO Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    GO Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Locums - A well respected group has a Trauma Surgery APP opportunity available in Columbus, Ohio. Certified Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. 1/1/... more

    16 Days Ago

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FAQ about Foundation Specialist

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

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Foundation Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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