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Job outlook for directors of advancement in the United States
Are director of advancement jobs in demand?
Director of advancement job and salary trends over time
Director of advancement jobs over time
Director of advancement job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,896 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 2,828 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 2,760 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 2,527 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 2,347 | 0.00% |
Average director of advancement salary over time
Director of advancement salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $117,155 | $56.32 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $112,569 | $54.12 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $110,280 | $53.02 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | $106,899 | $51.39 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $103,095 | $49.56 | +3.1% |
Director of advancement jobs by state
Most common states for directors of advancement
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 139 | 20% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 522 | 17% |
| 3 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 495 | 16% |
| 4 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 492 | 11% |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 449 | 11% |
| 6 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 507 | 10% |
| 7 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 302 | 10% |
| 8 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 302 | 4% |
| 9 | California | 39,536,653 | 853 | 2% |
| 10 | New York | 19,849,399 | 490 | 2% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 256 | 2% |
| 12 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 224 | 2% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 214 | 2% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 201 | 2% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 166 | 2% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 97 | 2% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 84 | 2% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 23 | 2% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 17 | 2% |
| 20 | Vermont | 623,657 | 14 | 2% |
Most common cities for directors of advancement
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $96,324 |
| 2 | Silver Spring | 2 | 3% | $98,925 |
| 3 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $99,235 |
| 4 | Laramie | 1 | 3% | $82,879 |
| 5 | Springfield | 3 | 2% | $116,722 |
| 6 | Clifton | 1 | 1% | $124,298 |
| 7 | Gainesville | 1 | 1% | $107,580 |
| 8 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $129,268 |
| 9 | Kenosha | 1 | 1% | $102,970 |
| 10 | Lansing | 1 | 1% | $101,146 |
| 11 | Little Rock | 1 | 1% | $114,670 |
| 12 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $118,607 |
| 13 | Washington | 3 | 0% | $101,691 |
| 14 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $94,260 |
| 15 | Los Angeles | 2 | 0% | $130,461 |
| 16 | Milwaukee | 2 | 0% | $102,737 |
| 17 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $104,236 |
Director Of Advancement job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of director of advancement experts
Luther College
Indiana University Northwest
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorLuther College
Communication Studies Department
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Of Advancement?
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.: I don't see how there won't be some sort of enduring impact. If you're asking about the individuals or the career field or all of the above, I suspect the impact of the pandemic will be far-reaching. This has been a life-altering experience on many levels. That being said, I believe humanity continues to show its resilience and that as we navigate the changes, sometimes traumas, of this experience, we also learn and grow from it. Individuals now have a better sense of themselves, their needs, and their goals having had to navigate a pandemic. Further, graduates have been forced to become more adaptable in every way and this will likely carry over into various careers. That these individuals know how to shift quickly between modes of communication may be an expectation and a benefit for them that they can. These graduates can interact face-to-face but have also learned how to interact via mediated channels of communication. Being able to do this, and do it competently, changes the expanse of the workforce. So, from personal to professional facets of their lives, I suspect there will be some lasting impact.
What will help Directors Of Advancement increase their earning potential?
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.: Honestly, it's probably the Communication Studies degree itself. Research indicates as much as 70% plus of long-term success in a career is tied to soft skills and that's where graduates of Communication Studies excel. Individuals with this degree are critical thinkers, adaptable, have strong people skills, and obviously, are excellent communicators. Hard skills are necessary. A person has to be able to do the "job" at hand. That being said, if you and another employee can both perform the basic job duties, but you are also adaptable, able to interact with coworkers, train others, make clients feel comfortable and confident etc., you are going to be the one that is promoted, offered new career opportunities, brought into important decision-making positions, and so on. I just had a conversation with an optometrist and she said almost none of her technicians have science or medical backgrounds. She's ready to train the hard skills of the equipment and exam procedures, but she needs to hire people who are excellent communicators, intelligent, and work well with others. The benefits of being able to communicate effectively are never-ending.
Dorothy Ige Campbell
Professor of Communication Emeritus, Founder & Former ChairIndiana University Northwest
Department of Communication
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Directors Of Advancement?
Dorothy Ige Campbell: A bachelor's degree in Communication is considered ideal for non-academic jobs. For undergraduate degrees, a Communication degree paired with a Minor (such as Business) can be ideal, and that has not changed. Those who wish to teach Communication in secondary schools often complete a four-year degree with a major in Education which stresses teaching methods and childhood development, with an emphasis in Communication. Courses in Drama and English also help secondary teacher preparation in Communication.
For graduate education and academic faculty positions in higher education, a Masters in Communication or a related field for part-time teaching for Junior College teaching of Communication courses is usually required. A Ph. D. is usually required for tenure-track, full-time faculty positions in Communication. Courses in statistical research, theory, then specialty Communication courses (such as Health, Religious or Strategic Communication, and so on) are usually required. At all levels, there is an increased emphasis on diversity in the curriculum.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Directors Of Advancement?
Dr. Derek Johnson Ph.D.: Departments like ours are aware of the added challenges created by the pandemic and we've been taking steps to help our students find opportunities while also helping employers to overcome the challenges of continuing to provide needed experience. Given the uncertainty around in-person work, we've been trying to generate online internships that allow students to connect with employers in safer ways. At the same time as we address the current crisis, we are also working to address long-standing barriers to access that have limited work opportunities based on social status, geography, the ability to support one's self, and more. Virtual internships can help with that, but there's more work to do to make sure everyone has equal opportunity to succeed and to manage the crises we face.