Research Summary. Utilizing a blend of public government data, company insights, and an analysis of thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has generated average salary estimates for volunteer positions across the United States. This comprehensive dataset has helped identify the volunteer roles that offer the highest compensation based on their average annual salaries.
Here’s an overview of our findings regarding the most lucrative volunteer positions:
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The top-paying volunteer role is the School Coordinator, with an average salary of $48,327 and an hourly rate of $23.23.
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Following closely is the Volunteer Coach, boasting an average salary of $45,232.
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The average annual salary for volunteers across various sectors is $31,227, translating to an hourly wage of $15.01.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Deciding on a career path can be challenging. While salary shouldn’t be the sole consideration in your choice, it plays a crucial role. If you’re interested in volunteering, understanding the highest-paying volunteer positions can guide your career strategy effectively.
Below are the top salaries for various volunteering roles:
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School Coordinator
Average Salary: $48,327
A School Coordinator oversees program management and curriculum development, ensuring the well-being of students and staff. Their duties include supervising teacher training, establishing academic standards, collaborating with external partners, and coordinating with administration. Additionally, they strategize to enhance teaching materials and facilities, generate progress reports, and identify areas for improvement. Monitoring student and faculty progress while enforcing school policies is also essential.
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Volunteer Coach
Average Salary: $45,232
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Youth Development Professional
Average Salary: $43,758
Youth Development Professionals are focused on implementing and managing programs that help young people discover their strengths and interests. Responsibilities include organizing career days and field trips, facilitating mentorship opportunities, developing youth outreach projects, and aiding community organizations in youth program development. They also support volunteer youth workers’ training and ensure that services align with professional standards and regulations. Specialization in health, experiential learning, or public service is common.
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Volunteer Patient Representative
Average Salary: $42,036
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Coordinator
Average Salary: $41,599
Coordinators serve as liaisons between their department and external parties, overseeing projects and agreements. They facilitate negotiations, maintain records, and ensure compliance with office policies and guidelines. Their role is crucial in ensuring project completion meets efficiency and effectiveness standards.
Below is a comprehensive table showcasing the average salaries for various volunteer positions, followed by an explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Volunteers
Methodology
Zippia compiles data from publicly available government sources, such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to generate its salary estimates.
Our data science team also reviews job postings and company reports for the most current salary information for volunteers.
After gathering this data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title. For further details on our salary estimates, you can refer to our detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Volunteer Jobs FAQs
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What is the highest-paid volunteer job?
The highest-paid volunteer job is a School Coordinator. School Coordinators earn an average salary of $48,327, which translates to $23.23 per hour.
School Coordinators manage programs and curricula, ensuring the well-being of both students and staff. Their responsibilities include overseeing the training of teachers, establishing academic guidelines, coordinating with external partners and administrators, and devising strategies for effective teaching materials. Additionally, they monitor student and faculty progress while implementing and refining school policies.
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What is a good salary for a volunteer?
A good salary for a volunteer is $31,227 or higher. This is the average volunteer salary, so those earning at least this amount are above average.
However, it’s important to note that volunteer salaries can vary significantly by location, as organizations may adjust their pay based on the local cost of living. Researching average salaries in your area for similar roles can provide a clearer picture of your market value.
Furthermore, if you’re just beginning your volunteering journey, the average entry-level salary may be $0, meaning the overall average includes volunteers across all experience levels.
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Do volunteer jobs pay well?
Generally, volunteer jobs do not pay well. While some roles may offer higher compensation, the average volunteer salary of $31,227 is significantly lower than the national average salary of around $44,225 per year.
Many volunteer positions offer high earning potential, but the top 10% of volunteers typically earn around $0 annually on average.
Volunteer salaries will vary based on experience, industry, and location, so it’s wise to research pay rates for similar volunteer roles in your area and negotiate your compensation accordingly.
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Where do volunteers get paid the most?
Volunteers earn the highest salaries in Nevada. In Nevada, volunteers have an average annual salary of $32,356, which equates to an hourly wage of $15.56.
Following Nevada, the states with the highest-paid volunteer roles include Utah, Wyoming, and New York, with average annual salaries of $33,337, $35,308, and $35,398, respectively.
The cities with the highest volunteer salaries are:
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
