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.
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 #18 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 |
| 18 | Washington, DC | $80,610 | $61,656 | $56,625 |
*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 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 #18 of 44 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%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Financial Examiner — $157,560
- Project Management Specialist — $127,030
- Management Analyst — $126,830
- Financial Risk Specialist — $126,510
- Budget Analyst — $125,050
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $120,580
- Credit Analyst — $114,700
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $108,330
- Personal Financial Advisor — $106,230
- Labor Relations Specialist — $105,210
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent — $104,880
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $104,770