Development Director Salary Guide 2026
What Christian development director roles are paying in the United States, based on 117 of 379 total development director listings with complete salary ranges as of November 2, 2026.
- →The median development director salary is $80,000/yr, with most offers between $65,000 and $110,000
- →Full-time roles post a median of $80,538 across 107 listings
- →California posts the highest published median at $101,204
How much do development directors make?
Development directors at Christian organizations earn a median of $80,000 per year, based on 117 listings with complete salary ranges. The middle half of offers falls between $65,000 and $110,000.
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. California leads at a median of $101,204, while Texas comes in at $65,000.
Median development director salary by state
117 listings| State | Median | Listings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $101,204 | 14 | |
| Illinois | $84,750 | 8 | |
| Colorado | $83,441 | 16 | |
| Washington | $81,002 | 7 | |
| Remote | $80,269 | 16 | |
| Florida | $78,199 | 7 | |
| Minnesota | $65,838 | 7 | |
| Texas | $65,000 | 7 | |
| Massachusetts | — | <5 | |
| Kentucky | — | <5 |
11 additional state entries have fewer than 5 listings, so their medians are withheld.
By organization and employment type
By organization type
115 listings| Org type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Missions organization | $82,500 | 9 |
| Nonprofit | $80,000 | 85 |
| Christian school | $80,000 | 18 |
| Church | — | <5 |
| For-profit company | — | <5 |
By employment type
111 listings| Type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $80,538 | 107 |
| Part-time | — | <5 |
| Temporary | — | <5 |
By organization size
34 listings| Employees | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 1-10 | — | <5 |
| 11-50 | — | <5 |
| 51-200 | $76,519 | 6 |
| 201-1000 | $80,000 | 5 |
| 1000+ | $82,666 | 18 |
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.