Fund Development Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Fund Development Specialist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Fund Development Specialist in the United States is $48,663 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $57,268
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,392 to $53,167
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,593
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View as table View as graph 25% $43,392 10% $38,593 90% $57,268 75% $53,167 $48,663 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Fund Development Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $53,167 $4,431 $1,022 $26
Average $48,663 $4,055 $936 $23
25th Percentile $43,392 $3,616 $834 $21
Check out Fund Development Specialist Job Openings in the United States
Business Development Specialist

Miller's Textile Services, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Business Development Specialist

Veracity Solutions - Columbus, OH

Regional Business Development Specialist

USJEDU Group - Columbus, OH

Senior Business Development Specialist

Visual Comfort & Co - Columbus, OH

Search More Fund Development Specialist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Fund Development Specialist Salaries

A Fund Development 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 Fund Development 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 Fund Development Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $53,880.
  • California: $53,675.
  • Massachusetts: $52,960.

Top Paying Cities for Fund Development 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: $61,379
  • San Francisco: $60,707
  • Oakland: $59,427

What Skills Can Increase a Fund Development 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 Fund Development 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
$55,963
15%
Corporate Development
$55,476
14%
Business Development
$54,503
12%
Event Planning
$54,016
11%
Project Management
$53,529
10%
Donor Relations
$53,043
9%
Get Latest Data

Fund Development Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Fund Development 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, Fund Development Specialist positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Fund Development Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Fund Development Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$58,396$28.020%

How Education impacts a Fund Development Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Fund Development 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 Fund Development Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $49,410 and $51,941).

Fund Development Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Fund Development 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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Fund Development Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Fund Development 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 Fund Development Specialist

Salaries for a Fund Development Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,200 in 2023 to around $48,657 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Fund Development Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Fund Development Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,200
2024
$49,298
2025
$48,657
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,200
2024 $49,298
2025 $48,657
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Fund Development Specialist

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

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

Find Your Next Fund Development Specialist Job

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

United States
  • HungryPanda

    Columbus, OH

    HungryPanda | Columbus, OH

    Business Development - Mandarin SpeakingFounded in 2017, HungryPanda is currently the largest overseas Asian food delivery platform. Starting in Nottingham... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ALEC Credit Union

    Columbus, OH

    ALEC Credit Union | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. SUMMARY. This position is primarily responsible for spearheading the credit union’s business development initiatives acro... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Chase

    Columbus, OH

    Chase | Columbus, OH

    Investment Specialist AssociateAs an Investment Specialist Associate in the J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management team within Global Alternatives Invest... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Copper Run Capital LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Copper Run Capital LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Ready to Launch Your Career in Investment Banking. If you're an SDR, BDR, or inside-sales pro with a competitive streak a... more

    7 Days Ago

  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Emergency Medicine Physician Needed near Columbus, Ohio. An excellent opportunity for a full-time EM Physician to join an Emergency Department team near Co... more

    5 Days Ago

  • eviCore healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    eviCore healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Provides timely expert medical review for requests to evaluate the medical necessity of services that do not meet utilization review criteria while located... more

    5 Days Ago

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FAQ about Fund Development Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Fund Development Specialist?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Fund Development 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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