Fundraisers Career, Salary and Skills
Fundraisers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $72,550 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 111,040. Wage data is published for 327 locations.
Occupation description
Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization's work, goals, and financial needs.
O*NET code
13-1131.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$72,550
Hourly median
$34.88
Employment
111,040
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.12 | 4.38 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Persuasion | 4.00 | 4.38 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Negotiation | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Coordination | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Service Orientation | 3.50 | 3.25 |
Typical tasks
- Secure commitments of participation or donation from individuals or corporate donors.
- Write and send letters of thanks to donors.
- Solicit cash or in-kind donations or sponsorships from individual, business, or government donors.
- Create or update donor databases.
- Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
- Develop or implement fundraising activities, such as annual giving campaigns or direct mail programs.
- Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.
- Identify and build relationships with potential donors.
Technology
- Adobe PageMaker
- AudienceView Ticketing
- Blackbaud eTapestry
- Blackbaud Luminate CRM
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Constant Contact
- Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
- Database software
- Email software
- FileMaker Pro
- Foundatino Directory Online (FDO)
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Microsoft Excel
Fundraisers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Fundraisers Salary in CAMedian $79,710 · Employment 12,860
- Fundraisers Salary in NYMedian $80,540 · Employment 11,600
- Fundraisers Salary in New York, NYMedian $82,180 · Employment 9,520
- Fundraisers Salary in PAMedian $63,730 · Employment 6,180
- Fundraisers Salary in MAMedian $79,060 · Employment 6,160
- Fundraisers Salary in Boston, MAMedian $80,340 · Employment 4,620
- Fundraisers Salary in ILMedian $66,440 · Employment 4,470
- Fundraisers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $80,610 · Employment 4,450
- Fundraisers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $77,550 · Employment 4,230
- Fundraisers Salary in TXMedian $60,320 · Employment 4,020
- Fundraisers Salary in VAMedian $72,610 · Employment 4,010
- Fundraisers Salary in WAMedian $79,000 · Employment 3,870
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.