Fundraisers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Fundraisers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA make a median of $85,230 a year, or about $40.98 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $77,552 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 78.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $85K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
About fundraisers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level fundraisers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $85K.Top earners bring in $138K or more - a $90K spread from bottom to top.
Fundraisers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $81K | +22% | 10,570 |
| New York | $77K | +17% | 11,380 |
| Minnesota | $76K | +14% | 2,680 |
| Massachusetts | $74K | +12% | 5,940 |
| Nebraska | $74K | +12% | 920 |
| New Jersey | $74K | +12% | 1,570 |
| Washington | $74K | +11% | 3,410 |
| Maryland | $73K | +9% | 2,270 |
| Connecticut | $72K | +8% | 1,210 |
| District of Columbia | $71K | +7% | 2,660 |
| New Hampshire | $70K | +6% | 710 |
| North Dakota | $70K | +6% | 280 |
| Vermont | $70K | +5% | 390 |
| Delaware | $68K | +2% | 330 |
| Rhode Island | $67K | +1% | 960 |
Track fundraisers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do fundraisers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $85,230 a year - that works out to about $40.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,260, and experienced fundraisers can clear $137,870. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $85K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,357/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 78.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a fundraisers salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median fundraisers salary is worth about $77,552 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.