Fundraisers vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn $3,290 more per year than Fundraisers professionals — that's 4.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fundraisers earns $106,960 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Fundraisers$43,200 – $106,960
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fundraisers | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $43,200 | $40,750 | +$2,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $52,590 | $51,970 | +$620 |
| Median (50th) | $66,490 | $69,780 | $-3,290 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,280 | $95,940 | $-10,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $106,960 | $129,480 | $-22,520 |
| Mean (Average) | $73,130 | $80,310 | $-7,180 |
Employment Numbers
Fundraisers
105,930
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Fundraisers or Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,290 (4.9% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Fundraisers and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 105,930 Fundraisers positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Fundraisers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fundraisers has a median salary of $66,490 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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