Across 721 California nonprofits, the median total compensation for development directors is $150,905. Each organization counts once, using its most recent IRS Form 990 filing from fiscal years 2019 to 2024. Total compensation includes base salary, bonus, and other reportable compensation.
Data updated July 1, 2026
Development Director Compensation by Organization Size in California
Compensation varies significantly by organization revenue.
| Org Revenue | 25th | Median | 75th | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $1M | $10,055 | $28,384 | $64,895 | 53 |
| $1M - $5M | $111,802 | $130,000 | $152,670 | 151 |
| $5M - $25M | $125,346 | $148,654 | $184,670 | 333 |
| $25M - $100M | $164,090 | $198,351 | $242,158 | 142 |
| Over $100M | $214,573 | $304,984 | $385,192 | 42 |
Top Cities for Development Director Positions in California
Cities with the most nonprofit development directors reporting compensation.
Sample Compensation Records in California
Recent compensation data from IRS Form 990 filings.
$63k
Chief Development Officer
Irvine, CA|Revenue: $9.4M|2024
$59k
Chief Development Officer
Irvine, CA|Revenue: $4.8M|2023
$14k
Chief Development Officer
San Francisco, CA|Revenue: $5.7M|2022
$116k
Fund Development Director
Palo Alto, CA|Revenue: $18M|2023
$144k
Fund Development Director
Palo Alto, CA|Revenue: $14.3M|2022
$65k
Chief Business Development Officer
Escondido, CA|Revenue: $861k|2023