Donor Relations Specialist Salary in Tennessee

How much does a Donor Relations Specialist make in Tennessee?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Donor Relations Specialist in Tennessee is $73,185 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $88,871
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $67,412 to $81,396
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,155
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View as table View as graph 25% $67,412 10% $62,155 90% $88,871 75% $81,396 $73,185 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Donor Relations Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $81,396 $6,783 $1,565 $39
Average $73,185 $6,099 $1,407 $35
25th Percentile $67,412 $5,618 $1,296 $32
Check out Donor Relations Specialist Job Openings in Tennessee
Vice President Growth Strategy&amp Donor Relations

Confidential - Nashville, TN

Events and Donor Engagement Specialist

West Cancer Foundation - Memphis, TN

Retail Donor Specialist

Goodwill - Clarksville, TN

Retail Donor Specialist

Goodwill - Cookeville, TN

Search More Donor Relations Specialist Jobs in Tennessee

Key Factors That Influence Donor Relations Specialist Salaries

A Donor Relations 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Donor Relations Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Donor Relations Specialist'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): $58,709
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $72,581
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $91,141
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $113,601
  • Expert (over 8 years): $128,266
Levels Salary
Public Re... Level Donor Relations Specialist$58,709
Donor Rel... Level Donor Relations Specialist$72,581
Public Re... Level Donor Relations Specialist$91,141
Public Re... Level Donor Relations Specialist$113,601
Public Re... Level Donor Relations Specialist$128,266
$58,709 0 yr
$72,581 < 2 yrs
$91,141 2-4 yrs
$113,601 5-8 yrs
$128,266 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Donor Relations 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:

  • Cornersville: $71,932
  • Lexington: $70,549
  • Iron City: $68,088

Donor Relations Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Donor Relations Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the MFG Nondurable and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Donor Relations Specialist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Donor Relations Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Donor Relations Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
MFG Nondurable$102,459$49.040%
Energy & Utilities$95,140$46.030%
Media$91,481$44.025%
Aerospace & Defense$87,822$42.020%
Telecom$87,822$42.020%

Donor Relations Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Donor Relations 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

Find Your Next Donor Relations Specialist Job

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

United States
  • Goodwill

    Jackson, TN

    Goodwill | Jackson, TN

    Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate. The Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate supports Goodwill's donated goods operatio... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Goodwill

    Franklin, TN

    Goodwill | Franklin, TN

    Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Team Lead. Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Team Lead plays a vital role in creating a positive, mis... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Goodwill

    Lewisburg, TN

    Goodwill | Lewisburg, TN

    Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate. The Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate supports Goodwill's donated goods operatio... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Goodwill

    Brentwood, TN

    Goodwill | Brentwood, TN

    Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate. The Retail Donor Specialist - Materials Handler Associate supports Goodwill's donated goods operatio... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Knox Area Rescue Ministries

    Knoxville, TN

    Knox Area Rescue Ministries | Knoxville, TN

    Karm Stores Job OpportunityEvery Sunday off. Benefits & PTO Employee discount Performance based increases Referral bonuses Bonus & rewards Career growth op... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Strive Global

    Nashville, TN

    Strive Global | Nashville, TN

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. At. Strive Global. we believe that strong relationships are the foundation of every successful brand... more

    6 Days Ago

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