Salary distribution
Where California fundraisers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $62,240 and $101,400, with a median of $80,810.
Fundraisers in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $83,511. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $68,560 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $75,000 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $88,511 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $106,942 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Fundraisers in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Resources, Inc | Fundraiser / Grant Writer | 1 | $62,400 |
| AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS, INC. | RAISER'S EDGE ADMINISTRATOR | 1 | $101,875 |
| Madison Project | Membership & Special Events Officer | 1 | $70,000 |
| The Akshaya Patra Foundation USA | Director - Corporate & Institutional Partnerships | 1 | $90,000 |
| Avenal Community Health Center | Director Of Grant Writing & Resource Development | 1 | $87,022 |
| Symphony San Jose | Development Director | 1 | $112,008 |
| Charitybuzz, LLC | Fulfillment Specialist | 1 | $74,720 |
| Dharma Karma Foundation | Director of Alliances and Development | 1 | $80,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Fundraiser / Grant Writer at Asian Resources, Inc$62,400SacramentoWage Level IDecided Aug 12, 2025I-200-25217-220902
- RAISER'S EDGE ADMINISTRATOR at AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS, INC.$101,875Los AngelesWage Level IVDecided Jul 8, 2025I-200-25181-142033
- Membership & Special Events Officer at Madison Project$70,000Santa MonicaWage Level IIDecided Jun 13, 2025I-200-25157-063801
- Director - Corporate & Institutional Partnerships at The Akshaya Patra Foundation USA$90,000FremontWage Level IIIDecided Feb 18, 2025I-200-25041-679675
- Director Of Grant Writing & Resource Development at Avenal Community Health Center$87,022LemooreWage Level IIIDecided Dec 16, 2024I-200-24344-528234
- Development Director at Symphony San Jose$112,008San JoseWage Level IVDecided Nov 18, 2024I-203-24317-467888
- Fulfillment Specialist at Charitybuzz, LLC$74,720Los AngelesWage Level IDecided Oct 23, 2024I-200-24290-412297
- Director of Alliances and Development at Dharma Karma Foundation$80,000Palo AltoWage Level IIDecided Oct 21, 2024I-200-24288-404677
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Fundraisers pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Fundraisers in California, by industry
Median offered wage across 8 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $87,022.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Asian Resources, Inc | 3 | $87,022 |
| Media and entertainment | Madison Project | 2 | $91,004 |
| Education | AFTER-SCHOOL ALL-STARS, INC. | 1 | $101,875 |
| Retail and wholesale | Charitybuzz, LLC | 1 | $74,720 |
| Nonprofit and civic | Dharma Karma Foundation | 1 | $80,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speech Clarity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Persuasion
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Identify and build relationships with potential donors.
- 02
Secure commitments of participation or donation from individuals or corporate donors.
- 03
Write and send letters of thanks to donors.
- 04
Solicit cash or in-kind donations or sponsorships from individual, business, or government donors.
- 05
Create or update donor databases.
- 06
Develop strategies to encourage new or increased contributions.
- 07
Develop or implement fundraising activities, such as annual giving campaigns or direct mail programs.
- 08
Compile or develop materials to submit to granting or other funding organizations.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.3%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for fundraisers in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Jose$104,000
- San Francisco$90,850
- Sacramento$80,010
- San Diego$78,090
- Los Angeles$76,580
- Riverside$73,590
Compare Fundraisers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Fundraisers in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Fundraisers in California is $80,810.
- How does California compare to the national median for Fundraisers?
- The California median is +18.6% versus the BLS national figure of $68,149.
- What is the salary range for Fundraisers in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $51,860 and the 90th-percentile at $130,230, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Fundraisers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.3% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Fundraisers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.