Fundraiser salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Fundraisers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $72,550 a year ($34.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,130 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $72,550. Pay here is 9% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $66,440. There are 0.78 fundraisers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fundraisers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| 25th percentile | $54,280 | $26.10 |
| Median | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| 75th percentile | $83,680 | $40.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,130 | $53.43 |
| Average (mean) | $73,520 | $35.35 |
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 | $6,045.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,022.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,790.38 |
| Weekly | $1,395.19 |
| Hourly | $34.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $73,090 | 660 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $71,350 | 350 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $66,360 | 870 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $64,040 | 980 |
| Evansville, IN | $63,790 | 70 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $63,550 | 30 |
| Peoria, IL | $63,280 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $62,670 | 60 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $62,110 | 40 |
| Rockford, IL | $61,900 | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $61,820 | 70 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $61,460 | 150 |
| Muncie, IN | $61,220 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $61,200 | 140 |
| Bloomington, IL | $60,450 | 30 |
| 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $105,090 | $50.53 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $80,400 | $38.65 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $81,170 | $39.02 |
| Project Management Specialist | $105,320 | $50.64 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,510 | $37.74 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,050 | $32.23 |
| Logistician | $79,900 | $38.42 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| Compliance Officer | $82,020 | $39.43 |
| Cost Estimator | $83,640 | $40.21 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $62,640 | $30.12 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,990 | $38.46 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $103,570 | $49.79 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for fundraisers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $72,550 a year, or $34.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $111,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fundraisers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of fundraisers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $111,130 a year. The top 25% earn $83,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for fundraisers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,050 a year, and a quarter of fundraisers earn $54,280 or less.
How many fundraisers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 3,540 fundraisers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.