Key Takeaways
Working in the Nonprofit Sector
The nonprofit sector employs approximately 12.8 million people in the United States — nearly 10% of the private workforce. Nonprofits need professionals in virtually every discipline: program delivery, fundraising, finance, marketing, operations, human resources, technology, and executive leadership.
This guide covers everything you need to know about nonprofit careers: what roles exist, what they pay, how to break in, and how to navigate a nonprofit career path.
Common Nonprofit Job Categories
Program Roles
These positions directly deliver the organization's mission.
Program Coordinator / Program Manager / Program Director
- Coordinate, manage, or direct specific organizational programs
- Design curriculum, manage staff and volunteers, track outcomes
- Typical salary: $40,000-$90,000 depending on organization size and experience
- Provide direct service to program participants
- Often requires social work or related degree
- Typical salary: $38,000-$65,000
- Entry-level program support role
- Often a starting point for recent graduates
- Typical salary: $35,000-$50,000
Development and Fundraising Roles
These positions generate revenue for the organization.
Development Associate
- Entry-level fundraising role
- Supports donor database, gift processing, and communications
- Typical salary: $38,000-$55,000
- Cultivates and solicits major donors
- Often requires 3-5 years of experience
- Typical salary: $55,000-$100,000
- Researches and writes foundation and government grant proposals
- Can be in-house or freelance
- Typical salary: $45,000-$85,000
- Oversees all fundraising activities
- Reports to executive director
- Typical salary: $65,000-$150,000
- Executive-level role at larger organizations
- Strategic leadership of fundraising
- Typical salary: $100,000-$250,000+
Communications and Marketing
Communications Associate / Coordinator
- Entry-level communications role
- Writes newsletters, social media, press releases
- Typical salary: $38,000-$55,000
- Oversees all external communications
- Develops brand and messaging strategy
- Typical salary: $55,000-$120,000
- Focuses on website, email marketing, social media, SEO
- Typical salary: $50,000-$95,000
Operations and Finance
Operations Manager
- Handles office management, HR, facilities, vendor relations
- Typical salary: $50,000-$85,000
- Oversees accounting, budgeting, audits, financial reporting
- Typical salary: $60,000-$180,000
- Manages hiring, benefits, compliance, employee relations
- Typical salary: $60,000-$120,000
Executive Leadership
Executive Director / CEO
- Top organizational leader
- Reports to board of directors
- Typical salary: $50,000-$300,000+ (varies dramatically by organization size)
- Second-in-command role at larger organizations
- Manages day-to-day operations
- Typical salary: $85,000-$200,000+
Nonprofit Salaries by Organization Size
Salary varies significantly based on organizational budget:
| Organization Budget | Typical ED Salary | Typical Program Director | Typical Development Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under $500K | $50,000-$85,000 | $45,000-$60,000 | $45,000-$65,000 |
| $500K-$2M | $70,000-$120,000 | $55,000-$80,000 | $55,000-$85,000 |
| $2M-$10M | $90,000-$160,000 | $65,000-$100,000 | $70,000-$115,000 |
| $10M-$50M | $130,000-$220,000 | $80,000-$130,000 | $90,000-$150,000 |
| $50M+ | $180,000-$400,000+ | $110,000-$180,000 | $130,000-$250,000+ |
Geographic factors: Salaries are typically 15-30% higher in major metropolitan areas (NYC, SF, DC, Boston) and lower in rural areas.
Sector factors: Healthcare and higher education nonprofits tend to pay more than human services. Arts organizations typically pay least.
How to Break Into the Nonprofit Sector
For Recent Graduates
Strong entry points:
- Americorps, Peace Corps, or other fellowship programs
- Development Associate or Program Associate roles
- Internships converted to full-time positions
- Administrative assistant roles at established organizations
- Writing ability (critical in every nonprofit role)
- Project management
- Relationship building
- Data literacy and basic analysis
- Spanish or other language skills (huge advantage in many markets)
For Career Changers from For-Profit Sector
What typically works:
- Target roles that value your specific expertise (finance, marketing, operations, technology)
- Start at mid-level rather than entry-level
- Consider a temporary pay cut for mission alignment
- Highlight transferable skills: project management, stakeholder management, budget management
- Network through volunteer work or board service
- Assuming for-profit experience translates automatically (it doesn't — mission fit matters)
- Expecting matching salary without demonstrating nonprofit understanding
- Skipping directly to executive roles without operational experience
For Experienced Nonprofit Professionals
How to advance:
- Take on high-visibility projects that stretch your role
- Build relationships across departments, not just within yours
- Develop a specialty (major gifts, grant writing, specific program area)
- Pursue formal education (MPA, MBA, sector-specific certificates)
- Move between organizations — internal promotions are slower in most nonprofits
Where to Find Nonprofit Jobs
Dedicated Nonprofit Job Boards
Association and Network Job Boards
- Your state's nonprofit association often has a local job board
- Sector-specific associations (e.g., AFP for fundraisers, ACNM for executives)
- Alumni networks from graduate programs
Direct Applications
- Check the careers page of organizations you admire
- Many nonprofit jobs are filled through networks, not public postings
- Informational interviews can surface unadvertised opportunities
What Nonprofit Employers Look For
Beyond specific role requirements, nonprofit employers consistently value:
Nonprofit Work: The Tradeoffs
The Rewards
- Meaningful work connected to social impact
- Collaborative, often mission-driven cultures
- Opportunities to wear multiple hats and learn broadly
- Flatter hierarchies in many organizations
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness for federal student loans
- Strong community connections
The Challenges
- Compensation 15-25% below comparable for-profit roles
- Resource constraints (always doing more with less)
- Burnout risk, especially in direct service and fundraising
- Limited career ladders in smaller organizations
- Sometimes weak management practices
- Funding volatility affecting job security
Frequently Asked Questions
Do nonprofits pay well?
Nonprofit compensation typically runs 15-25% below comparable for-profit positions, though this varies by role, sector, and organization size. Healthcare nonprofits, universities, and large foundations often pay competitively with the private sector. Small community-based organizations pay significantly less.
Can you make six figures working for a nonprofit?
Yes. Executive directors of mid-sized and larger nonprofits typically earn six figures. Development directors, program directors at larger organizations, CFOs, and specialized professionals often earn $100,000+. The highest-paid nonprofit employees (typically healthcare CEOs, university presidents, and large foundation leaders) earn $500,000-$5 million+.
Do I need a special degree to work in nonprofits?
Not for most roles. Relevant degrees (MPA, MSW, nonprofit management certificates) help for leadership positions but are rarely required. Experience and demonstrated competence matter more than credentials for most roles.
How do I get started with no nonprofit experience?
Start with volunteering, AmeriCorps service, internships, or entry-level administrative roles at established organizations. Many senior leaders began their careers this way. Board service can also build experience and network connections.
Is it hard to get a nonprofit job?
Competition varies by role and location. Entry-level positions at high-profile organizations are competitive. Leadership roles at less glamorous organizations often have fewer qualified candidates than positions. Networking and strategic targeting matter more than broad job search.
Career Support
If you're considering a nonprofit career or looking to advance in the sector, understanding organizational dynamics, leadership development, and sector trends can make a significant difference.
Contact Giddings Consulting Group for executive coaching and career development support, or explore our Nonprofit Salary Guide.
About the Author
Drew Giddings
Founder & Principal Consultant
Drew Giddings brings more than two decades of experience working with mission-driven organizations to strengthen their capacity for equity and community impact. His work focuses on helping nonprofits build sustainable strategies that center community voice and create lasting change.
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