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Job outlook for funds development directors in the United States
Funds development director job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected funds development director job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 6,300 new jobs for funds development directors are projected over the next decade.
Funds development director salaries have increased 14% for funds development directors in the last 5 years.
There are over 10,324 funds development directors currently employed in the United States.
There are 55,583 active funds development director job openings in the US.
The average funds development director salary is $94,994.
Are funds development director jobs in demand?
Funds development director job and salary trends over time
Funds development director jobs over time
Funds development director job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,324 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 10,084 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 9,842 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 9,009 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 8,367 | 0.00% |
Average funds development director salary over time
Funds development director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $94,994 | $45.67 | +4.1% |
| 2025 | $91,276 | $43.88 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $89,420 | $42.99 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $86,678 | $41.67 | +3.7% |
| 2022 | $83,594 | $40.19 | +3.1% |
Funds development director jobs by state
Most common states for funds development directors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,039 | 19% |
| 2 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 871 | 18% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 194 | 18% |
| 4 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 683 | 17% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 125 | 17% |
| 6 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 477 | 16% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 141 | 16% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 122 | 16% |
| 9 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 712 | 15% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 291 | 15% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 302 | 14% |
| 12 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 96 | 14% |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,509 | 12% |
| 14 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,295 | 12% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 841 | 12% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 341 | 12% |
| 17 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 637 | 11% |
| 18 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 342 | 11% |
| 19 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 2,926 | 10% |
| 20 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 664 | 10% |
Most common cities for funds development directors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danvers | 1 | 4% | $112,829 |
| 2 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $113,674 |
| 3 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $76,875 |
| 4 | Kansas City | 1 | 0% | $77,745 |
| 5 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $108,757 |
| 6 | San Francisco | 1 | 0% | $118,280 |
Funds Development Director job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of funds development director experts
Luther College
University of South Florida
Sarah Wilder Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorLuther College
Communication Studies Department
What will help Funds Development Directors 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Funds Development Directors?
Jody McBrien: The Covid pandemic reaches far beyond the issue of a global health issue. Limitations in social and economic life required to limit the reach of the virus have had major effects on both immediate and long-term job opportunities. For instance, many businesses that might have employed graduates have had to close their doors. As a result, there may be fewer opportunities, especially dependent on degrees that graduates have earned. For instance, the arts have been hard hit, as have restaurants and tourism. It remains to be seen how these important elements in society will recover.