Fundraiser salary in Madison, WI
Fundraisers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $66,040 a year ($31.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,150 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $72,550. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $65,880. There are 1.2 fundraisers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fundraisers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,300 | $19.38 |
| 25th percentile | $54,480 | $26.19 |
| Median | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| 75th percentile | $82,640 | $39.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,150 | $49.59 |
| Average (mean) | $71,020 | $34.15 |
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 | $5,503.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,751.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,540 |
| Weekly | $1,270 |
| Hourly | $31.75 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,780 | 2,070 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $67,250 | 50 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $66,080 | 820 |
| Green Bay, WI | $66,060 | 100 |
| Kenosha, WI | $65,400 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $64,990 | 100 |
| Appleton, WI | $63,270 | 50 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $63,060 | 50 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $58,780 | 70 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $51,400 | 50 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Specialist | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Management Analyst | $97,170 | $46.72 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $76,660 | $36.86 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $81,200 | $39.04 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,440 | $38.67 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $74,770 | $35.95 |
| Cost Estimator | $73,420 | $35.30 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $56,520 | $27.17 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $69,010 | $33.18 |
| Logistician | $79,910 | $38.42 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $98,430 | $47.32 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Madison, WI
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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for fundraisers in the Madison, WI metro area is $66,040 a year, or $31.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fundraisers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of fundraisers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $103,150 a year. The top 25% earn $82,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for fundraisers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,300 a year, and a quarter of fundraisers earn $54,480 or less.
How many fundraisers work in Madison, WI?
About 480 fundraisers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.