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Development Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Development Officer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Development Officer in the United States is $174,268 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $229,990
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $143,636 to $203,435
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,747
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Development Officer Salaries

A Development Officer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Development Officer 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 Development Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $192,950.
  • California: $192,218.
  • Massachusetts: $189,656.

Top Paying Cities for Development Officers

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: $219,804
  • San Francisco: $217,398
  • Oakland: $212,816

What Skills Can Increase a Development Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 12.36% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Corporate Development (Mentioned in 1.12% Job Postings): Corporate development refers to the planning and execution of strategies to meet organizational objectives.
  • Event Management (Mentioned in 1.12% Job Postings): Setting up, designing, and hosting social and business events to boost the business's reputation and client base.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 12.36%
Corporate Development 1.12%
Event Management 1.12%
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 Development Officer's salary.

  • Social Media Strategy: Can increase your salary by up to 46%.
  • Multimedia: Can increase your salary by up to 31%.
  • Crisis Response: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Social Media Strategy $254,431
46%
Multimedia $228,291
31%
Crisis Response $207,379
19%
Get Latest Data

Development Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Development Officer 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, Education, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Development Officer positions in Government typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Development Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Development Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Education$191,695$92.010%

How Education impacts a Development Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Development Officers enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 Development Officer with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $159,006 and $180,297).

Development Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Development Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 40.2%
High School 51.1%
Associates 8.7%
Bachelors 40.2%
Masters 51.1%
Doctorate 8.7%
View as Graph

Development Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Development Officer'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
$143,636
Average $174,268/year
$203,435
$11,970
Average $14,522/month
$16,953
$2,762
Average $3,351/week
$3,912
$69
Average $84/hour
$98
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $203,435 $16,953 $3,912 $98
Average $174,268 $14,522 $3,351 $84
25th Percentile $143,636 $11,970 $2,762 $69

Most common benefits for Development Officer

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

Common company salaries for Development Officer

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

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FAQ about Development Officer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Development Officer?

The Education industry offers the highest average compensation for Development Officer 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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