Data Scientists vs Fundraisers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $46,100 more per year than Fundraisers professionals — that's 69.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $106,960 for Fundraisers.
Salary Range Comparison
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Fundraisers$43,200 – $106,960
$43,200$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Data Scientists | Fundraisers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,650 | $43,200 | +$20,450 |
| 25th Percentile | $82,630 | $52,590 | +$30,040 |
| Median (50th) | $112,590 | $66,490 | +$46,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,810 | $85,280 | +$70,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $194,410 | $106,960 | +$87,450 |
| Mean (Average) | $124,590 | $73,130 | +$51,460 |
Employment Numbers
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Fundraisers
105,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Best Cities for Fundraisers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $104,000 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $90,850 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $80,010 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $79,000 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $78,670 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Data Scientists or Fundraisers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,100 (69.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
What is the salary range for Fundraisers?
Fundraisers salaries range from $43,200 (10th percentile) to $106,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $66,490.
How many Data Scientists and Fundraisers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists positions and 105,930 Fundraisers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fundraisers to Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 while Fundraisers earns $66,490. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS