📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$148,680
per year
Median
$132,450
per year
Hourly
$71.48
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$77,206
25th Percentile — Junior$111,310
50th Percentile — Median$132,450
75th Percentile — Senior$188,044
90th Percentile — Top Earners$220,064
💡 The top 10% of Public Relations and Fundraising Managerss earn $220,064 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $77,206, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$125.2k
2021
$129.6k
2022
$134.1k
2023
$138.8k
2024
$143.7k
2025
$148.7k
2026
📈 Public Relations and Fundraising Managers salaries have grown 3.5% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $23,495.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $230,454 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $225,994 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $211,126 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $205,178 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $196,258 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $193,284 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $190,310 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $185,850 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $181,390 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $170,982 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $170,982 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $169,495 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $166,522 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $163,548 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $163,548 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $160,574 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $156,114 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $156,114 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $151,654 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $151,654 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $148,680 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $148,680 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $147,193 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $147,193 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $145,706 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $141,246 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $141,246 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $138,272 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $138,272 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $138,272 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $136,786 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $136,786 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $135,299 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $133,812 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $130,838 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $130,838 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $130,838 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $130,838 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $130,838 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $130,838 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $129,352 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $129,352 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $129,352 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $127,865 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $126,378 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $126,378 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $124,891 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $123,404 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $123,404 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $118,944 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $115,970 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Public Relations and Fundraising Managers Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Public Relations and Fundraising Managers's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Public Relations and Fundraising Managerss typically earn $77,206–$111,310 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $188,044–$220,064 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Public Relations and Fundraising Managers role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 3.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Management sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Public Relations and Fundraising Managers?The average salary for a Public Relations and Fundraising Managers in the United States is $148,680 per year, with a median of $132,450.
-
What is the starting salary for a Public Relations and Fundraising Managers?Entry-level Public Relations and Fundraising Managerss typically earn between $77,206 and $111,310 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Public Relations and Fundraising Managerss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Public Relations and Fundraising Managerss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Public Relations and Fundraising Managers make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $148,680, a Public Relations and Fundraising Managers earns approximately $71.48 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Public Relations and Fundraising Managers a good career in 2026?Yes — the Public Relations and Fundraising Managers role has medium demand with 3.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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