Fundraisers Salary
Fundraisers in Kentucky make a median of $68,270 a year, or about $32.82 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $75,662 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,110/month, or 24.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Kentucky. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $68K get you in Kentucky?
About fundraisers
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What this looks like in Kentucky
Fundraisers pay in Kentucky tracks closely to the national median, $68K locally vs. $73K nationwide, a 6% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,110/month, 24.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.23 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level fundraisers (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $107K or more, a $64K spread from bottom to top.
Fundraisers salary by metro in Kentucky
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette | $75K | +10% | 270 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $71K | +5% | 350 |
| Bowling Green | $62K | -9% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track fundraisers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a fundraiser afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
Yes — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 24.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,110/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for fundraisers in Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new fundraisers typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,533/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is fundraiser a high-paying job in Kentucky?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $68K locally vs. $73K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for fundraisers?
Kentucky pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $73K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $76K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do fundraisers make in Kentucky?
The median is $68,270 a year, that works out to about $33 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,220, and experienced fundraisers can clear $106,590. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,474/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 24.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a fundraisers salary go in Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 90.23 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fundraisers salary is worth about $75,662 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do fundraisers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.