Fundraiser Salary in Chicago, IL
Fundraisers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $72,550 a year — 0% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,422 take-home, or $4,702 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fundraiser salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,131
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,498
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,052
- Illinois income tax$3,446
- Take-home pay$56,422
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Fundraiser pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,050 | $21.18 | $35,538 | $2,962 |
| 25th percentile | $54,280 | $26.10 | $43,252 | $3,604 |
| Median (50th) | $72,550 | $34.88 | $56,422 | $4,702 |
| 75th percentile | $83,680 | $40.23 | $63,702 | $5,308 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $111,130 | $53.43 | $81,654 | $6,804 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,550 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median fundraiser's $56,422 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,464 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fundraiser jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for fundraisers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #26 of 44 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $106,760 | $76,849 | $69,595 |
| 2 | Indianapolis, IN | $73,090 | $58,122 | $60,736 |
| 3 | Rochester, NY | $75,000 | $58,140 | $59,916 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $81,020 | $62,343 | $59,666 |
| 5 | Buffalo, NY | $73,480 | $57,152 | $59,631 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $76,490 | $59,294 | $59,259 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $80,920 | $65,757 | $59,170 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $68,230 | $54,560 | $58,957 |
| 26 | Chicago, IL | $72,550 | $56,422 | $54,464 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 44 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fundraiser make in Chicago, IL?
The median fundraiser salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $72,550 a year, or about $34.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $54,280 and $83,680.
What is a fundraiser’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $72,550 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $56,422 a year ($4,702 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,446 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a fundraiser?
Pay here is 0% above the national median of $72,550. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,464 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #26 of 44 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fundraiser afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 33% of a median fundraiser’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Personal Financial Advisor — $113,210
- Financial Risk Specialist — $105,370
- Project Management Specialist — $105,320
- Management Analyst — $105,090
- Labor Relations Specialist — $103,570
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,750
- Insurance Underwriter — $99,840
- Financial Examiner — $98,470
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents — $93,590
- Credit Analyst — $92,900
- Cost Estimator — $83,640
- Accountant and Auditor — $82,360