Fundraiser salary in Ames, IA
Fundraisers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $80,430 a year ($38.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,420 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $72,550. Pay here is 26% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $63,930. There are 1.5 fundraisers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fundraisers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| 25th percentile | $56,740 | $27.28 |
| Median | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| 75th percentile | $99,120 | $47.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,420 | $65.11 |
| Average (mean) | $80,910 | $38.90 |
Half of fundraisers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,702.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,351.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,093.46 |
| Weekly | $1,546.73 |
| Hourly | $38.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fundraiser salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $75,520 | 430 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $68,350 | 40 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $65,060 | 340 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $61,170 | 130 |
| Iowa City, IA | $60,240 | 150 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $59,890 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for fundraisers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $80,840 |
| New York | $80,540 |
| Maryland | $79,780 |
| California | $79,710 |
| Massachusetts | $79,060 |
| Washington | $79,000 |
| Connecticut | $77,730 |
| New Jersey | $77,170 |
| Minnesota | $76,910 |
| North Dakota | $76,040 |
See Fundraiser pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Logistician | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fundraiser make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for fundraisers in the Ames, IA metro area is $80,430 a year, or $38.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fundraisers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of fundraisers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $135,420 a year. The top 25% earn $99,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for fundraisers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,320 a year, and a quarter of fundraisers earn $56,740 or less.
How many fundraisers work in Ames, IA?
About 80 fundraisers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.