Fundraising Manager salary in California
Fundraising Managers in California earn a median of $135,870 a year ($65.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $84,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $257,500 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $125,470. California ranks 9th of 48 states for fundraising managers pay. There are 0.30 fundraising managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $157,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fundraising managers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $84,730 | $40.73 |
| 25th percentile | $106,910 | $51.40 |
| Median | $135,870 | $65.32 |
| 75th percentile | $192,290 | $92.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $257,500 | $123.80 |
| Average (mean) | $157,470 | $75.71 |
Half of fundraising managers 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 | $11,322.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,661.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,225.77 |
| Weekly | $2,612.88 |
| Hourly | $65.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fundraising Manager salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $179,130 | 30 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $164,330 | 460 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $157,750 | 1,030 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $153,940 | 80 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $151,530 | 50 |
| Salinas, CA | $139,240 | 60 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $138,650 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $138,170 | 250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $134,740 | 470 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $132,650 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $132,070 | 240 |
| Redding, CA | $131,400 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $130,340 | 40 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $125,620 | 2,080 |
| Fresno, CA | $124,390 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $113,980 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for fundraising managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $169,510 |
| New Hampshire | $157,080 |
| Rhode Island | $155,970 |
| Massachusetts | $151,740 |
| Virginia | $143,730 |
| District of Columbia | $141,720 |
| New Jersey | $140,500 |
| Washington | $137,010 |
| California | $135,870 |
| Delaware | $131,750 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Sales Manager | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Marketing Manager | $193,620 | $93.09 |
| Public Relations Manager | $167,980 | $80.76 |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | $167,230 | $80.40 |
| General and Operations Managers | $124,390 | $59.81 |
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $83.92 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $218,290 | $104.95 |
| Financial Manager | $180,770 | $86.91 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Administrative Services Manager | $108,890 | $52.35 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | $64.02 |
| Chief Executive | $218,600 | $105.10 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 | $40.01 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-2033. 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 fundraising manager make in California?
The median salary for fundraising managers in California is $135,870 a year, or $65.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $84,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $257,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fundraising managers make in California?
The top 10% of fundraising managers in California earn at least $257,500 a year. The top 25% earn $192,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for fundraising managers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $84,730 a year, and a quarter of fundraising managers earn $106,910 or less.
How many fundraising managers work in California?
About 5,430 fundraising managers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.