Fundraiser salary in Illinois
Fundraisers in Illinois earn a median of $66,440 a year ($31.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,470 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,820 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $72,550. Illinois ranks 24th of 51 states for fundraisers pay. There are 0.73 fundraisers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fundraisers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 25th percentile | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| Median | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| 75th percentile | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,820 | $51.84 |
| Average (mean) | $71,500 | $34.38 |
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 | $5,536.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,768.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,555.38 |
| Weekly | $1,277.69 |
| Hourly | $31.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fundraiser salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $72,550 | 3,540 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $64,040 | 980 |
| Peoria, IL | $63,280 | 90 |
| Springfield, IL | $62,670 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $61,900 | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $61,820 | 70 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $104,270 | $50.13 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $79,120 | $38.04 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,820 | $36.93 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $82,070 | $39.46 |
| Project Management Specialist | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $78,470 | $37.73 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,380 | $32.39 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $77,010 | $37.02 |
| Logistician | $80,100 | $38.51 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,550 | $38.73 |
| Cost Estimator | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $59,840 | $28.77 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $79,300 | $38.13 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $104,180 | $50.09 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for fundraisers in Illinois is $66,440 a year, or $31.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fundraisers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of fundraisers in Illinois earn at least $107,820 a year. The top 25% earn $81,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for fundraisers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,580 a year, and a quarter of fundraisers earn $52,850 or less.
How many fundraisers work in Illinois?
About 4,470 fundraisers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.