Fundraiser salary in California
Fundraisers in California earn a median of $79,710 a year ($38.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,720 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $72,550. California ranks 4th of 51 states for fundraisers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.71 fundraisers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fundraisers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,340 | $24.20 |
| 25th percentile | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Median | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| 75th percentile | $101,930 | $49.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,720 | $63.33 |
| Average (mean) | $86,320 | $41.50 |
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 | $6,642.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,321.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,065.77 |
| Weekly | $1,532.88 |
| Hourly | $38.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fundraiser salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $106,760 | 1,060 |
| Merced, CA | $84,570 | 40 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $82,930 | 3,020 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $82,310 | 130 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $81,910 | 200 |
| Napa, CA | $78,980 | 50 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $78,720 | 160 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $77,730 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $77,550 | 4,230 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,860 | 620 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $76,300 | 1,060 |
| Chico, CA | $75,970 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $74,480 | 510 |
| Modesto, CA | $73,990 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $73,950 | 120 |
| Salinas, CA | $73,320 | 130 |
| Redding, CA | $72,800 | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $72,490 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $69,170 | 200 |
| Vallejo, CA | $63,970 | 50 |
| Visalia, CA | $63,440 | 40 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $57,070 | 230 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Management Analyst | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,910 | $58.13 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Logistician | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for fundraisers in California is $79,710 a year, or $38.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fundraisers make in California?
The top 10% of fundraisers in California earn at least $131,720 a year. The top 25% earn $101,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for fundraisers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,340 a year, and a quarter of fundraisers earn $62,360 or less.
How many fundraisers work in California?
About 12,860 fundraisers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.