Director of Fund Development Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director of Fund Development in the United States is $143,808 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $188,348
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $126,444 to $167,122
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $110,635

Key Factors That Influence Director of Fund Development Salaries

A Director of Fund Development'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 Director of Fund Development Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director of Fund Development'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): $77,826
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $96,007
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,646
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $142,093
  • Expert (over 8 years): $277,435
Levels Salary
Developme... Level Director of Fund Development$77,826
Developme... Level Director of Fund Development$96,007
Developme... Level Director of Fund Development$108,646
Director ... Level Director of Fund Development$142,093
VP of Dev... Level Director of Fund Development$277,435

How Do Director of Fund Development 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 Director of Fund Developments. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $159,224.
  • California: $158,620.
  • Massachusetts: $156,506.

Top Paying Cities for Director of Fund Developments

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: $181,385
  • San Francisco: $179,399
  • Oakland: $175,618

What Skills Can Increase a Director of Fund Development's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 5.09% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Community Engagement (Mentioned in 1.27% Job Postings): Community engagement seeks to engage community to achieve sustainable outcomes, equitable decision-making processes, and deepen relationships and trust between government organisations and communities.
  • Event Planning (Mentioned in 0.76% Job Postings): Event planning is the process of managing a project such as a meeting, convention, tradeshow, ceremony, team building activity, party, or convention.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 5.09%
Community Engagement 1.27%
Event Planning 0.76%

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 Director of Fund Development's salary.

  • Strategic Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Team Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Empowerment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Strategic Thinking $150,998
5%
Team Management $149,560
4%
Empowerment $149,560
4%

Director of Fund Development Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director of Fund Development roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Director of Fund Development positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Director of Fund Development as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Director of Fund Development

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$186,950$90.030%

How Education impacts a Director of Fund Development's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director of Fund Developments enter the field with a Bachelor'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 Director of Fund Development with a Bachelor's Degree is between $140,834 and $158,509).

Director of Fund Development Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director of Fund Development
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 4.0%
Associates 6.0%
Bachelors 52.1%
Masters 35.8%
Doctorate 1.4%

Director of Fund Development Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director of Fund Development'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 October 01, 2026
$126,444
Average $143,808/year
$167,122
$10,537
Average $11,984/month
$13,927
$2,432
Average $2,766/week
$3,214
$61
Average $69/hour
$80
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $167,122 $13,927 $3,214 $80
Average $143,808 $11,984 $2,766 $69
25th Percentile $126,444 $10,537 $2,432 $61

Most common benefits for Director of Fund Development

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

Common company salaries for Director of Fund Development

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

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FAQ about Director of Fund Development

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Director of Fund Development roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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