Fundraisers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $34,260 more per year than Fundraisers professionals — that's 51.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fundraisers earns $106,960 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Fundraisers$43,200 – $106,960
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$43,200$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fundraisers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $43,200 | $59,830 | $-16,630 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,590 | $76,950 | $-24,360 |
| Median (50th) | $66,490 | $100,750 | $-34,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,280 | $131,660 | $-46,380 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,960 | $165,790 | $-58,830 |
| Mean (Average) | $73,130 | $108,100 | $-34,970 |
Employment Numbers
Fundraisers
105,930
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Fundraisers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $104,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $90,850 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $80,010 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $79,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,670 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Fundraisers or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,260 (51.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Fundraisers?
Fundraisers salaries range from $43,200 (10th percentile) to $106,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $66,490.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Fundraisers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 105,930 Fundraisers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Fundraisers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fundraisers has a median salary of $66,490 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS