Development Director Salary Guide 2026
What Christian development director roles are paying in the United States, based on 61 of 161 total development director listings with complete salary ranges as of Aug 1, 2026.
- →The median development director salary is $80,000/yr, with most offers between $65,000 and $107,204
- →Full-time roles post a median of $80,000 across 54 listings
- →Washington posts the highest published median at $101,250
How much do Christian development directors make?
Development directors at Christian organizations earn a median of $80,000 per year, based on 61 listings with complete salary ranges. The middle half of offers falls between $65,000 and $107,204.
Fundraising leadership is one of the better-paid tracks in the nonprofit world because the role carries revenue responsibility. Listings that name a portfolio size or a major-gifts focus consistently post at the top of the range.
Development Director salaries by state
Geography moves development director pay meaningfully, and cost of living explains most of the spread. Washington leads at a median of $101,250, while Minnesota comes in at $65,838.
Median development director salary by state
61 listings| State | Median | Listings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,250 | 6 | |
| California | $96,596 | 8 | |
| Colorado | $93,879 | 6 | |
| Remote | $80,000 | 11 | |
| Illinois | $77,250 | 6 | |
| Minnesota | $65,838 | 5 | |
| Maryland | — | <5 | |
| New York | — | <5 |
6 additional state entries have fewer than 5 listings, so their medians are withheld.
By organization and employment type
By organization type
60 listings| Org type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Missions organization | $85,000 | 5 |
| Nonprofit | $79,691 | 42 |
| Christian school | $74,500 | 11 |
| For-profit company | — | <5 |
| Church | — | <5 |
By employment type
57 listings| Type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $80,000 | 54 |
| Temporary | — | <5 |
| Part-time | — | <5 |
By organization size
22 listings| Employees | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 11-50 | — | <5 |
| 51-200 | $80,538 | 5 |
| 201-1000 | — | <5 |
| 1000+ | $77,225 | 12 |
Organization size is the employer's W-2 headcount from its latest IRS Form 990 filing. Employers that don't file (churches, for-profits) aren't counted in that table.