Fundraiser Salary in Washington, DC
Fundraisers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $80,610 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,656 take-home, or $5,138 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fundraiser salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,904
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,998
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,169
- District of Columbia income tax$3,883
- Take-home pay$61,656
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Fundraiser pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,120 | $27.94 | $46,548 | $3,879 |
| 25th percentile | $62,490 | $30.04 | $49,775 | $4,148 |
| Median (50th) | $80,610 | $38.75 | $61,656 | $5,138 |
| 75th percentile | $102,110 | $49.09 | $74,954 | $6,246 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,130 | $65.45 | $95,708 | $7,976 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,610 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fundraiser's $61,656 take-home pay has the buying power of $56,625 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 2.0× the national concentration of fundraiser jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for fundraisers, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #4 of 8 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $80,920 | $65,757 | $59,170 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $74,370 | $58,866 | $57,400 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $80,340 | $61,552 | $56,853 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $80,610 | $61,656 | $56,625 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $82,180 | $62,803 | $55,794 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $72,550 | $56,422 | $54,464 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $82,930 | $62,610 | $54,155 |
| 8 | Los Angeles, CA | $77,550 | $59,386 | $52,292 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 8 metros →
About the job: fundraisers
Organize activities to raise funds or otherwise solicit and gather monetary donations or other gifts for an organization. May design and produce promotional materials. May also raise awareness of the organization’s work, goals, and financial needs.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fundraiser make in Washington, DC?
The median fundraiser salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $80,610 a year, or about $38.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $62,490 and $102,110.
What is a fundraiser’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $80,610 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $61,656 a year ($5,138 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,883 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a fundraiser?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $72,550. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $56,625 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #4 of 8 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fundraiser afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median fundraiser’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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