Fundraising Manager Salary in Chicago, IL
Fundraising Managers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $109,720 a year — 13% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $80,732 take-home, or $6,728 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median fundraising manager salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$15,308
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,803
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,591
- Illinois income tax$5,286
- Take-home pay$80,732
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.
Fundraising Manager pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,490 | $33.89 | $55,075 | $4,590 |
| 25th percentile | $86,140 | $41.41 | $65,310 | $5,443 |
| Median (50th) | $109,720 | $52.75 | $80,732 | $6,728 |
| 75th percentile | $134,470 | $64.65 | $96,665 | $8,055 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $181,250 | $87.14 | $126,323 | $10,527 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $109,720 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 fundraising manager's $80,732 take-home pay has the buying power of $77,930 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL has 2.0× the national concentration of fundraising manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for fundraising managers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 16 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $170,780 | $118,958 | $105,682 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $161,500 | $113,796 | $105,108 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $151,490 | $114,809 | $103,308 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $164,330 | $110,396 | $99,976 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $127,370 | $92,336 | $92,282 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $157,750 | $106,596 | $92,201 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $141,720 | $99,054 | $90,972 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $123,840 | $92,109 | $89,815 |
| 13 | Chicago, IL | $109,720 | $80,732 | $77,930 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 16 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fundraising manager make in Chicago, IL?
The median fundraising manager salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $109,720 a year, or about $52.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $86,140 and $134,470.
What is a fundraising manager’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $109,720 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $80,732 a year ($6,728 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,286 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a fundraising manager?
Pay here is 13% below the national median of $125,470. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $77,930 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #13 of 16 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a fundraising manager 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) — 23% of a median fundraising manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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