Nonprofit65% remote-eligible+3.5% YoY growth

Grant Writer Salary
by City (2026)

Research and write grant proposals to secure funding from foundations and government agencies. National median: $62K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$62K

Top 10% earn

$102K

Entry level

$48K

Salary growth

+3.5%/yr

Grant Writer salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$72K	$93K	$120K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$70K	$90K	$116K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$67K	$87K	$112K	187	6.85%
Oakland, CA	$66K	$86K	$110K	185	9.3%
Cambridge, MA	$67K	$86K	$112K	185	5%
Washington, DC	$66K	$86K	$110K	152	8.5%
Pearl City, HI	$67K	$86K	$112K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$65K	$84K	$108K	175	None ✓
Jersey City, NJ	$65K	$84K	$108K	162	10.75%
Irvine, CA	$64K	$83K	$107K	172	9.3%
Los Angeles, CA	$62K	$81K	$104K	163	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$63K	$81K	$104K	165	6.85%
Seattle, WA	$62K	$81K	$104K	150	None ✓
Boston, MA	$62K	$81K	$104K	162	5%
Arlington, VA	$62K	$81K	$104K	148	5.75%
Bethesda, MD	$63K	$81K	$104K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$62K	$80K	$103K	162	None ✓
Newark, NJ	$61K	$79K	$102K	155	10.75%
Stamford, CT	$61K	$79K	$102K	158	6.99%
San Diego, CA	$60K	$78K	$100K	148	9.3%
Hilo, HI	$60K	$78K	$101K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$59K	$77K	$99K	150	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$59K	$76K	$98K	155	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$59K	$76K	$98K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$59K	$76K	$98K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$58K	$75K	$97K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$58K	$75K	$97K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$57K	$74K	$95K	140	10.75%
Sacramento, CA	$57K	$73K	$94K	128	9.3%
Chula Vista, CA	$57K	$73K	$94K	138	9.3%
Portland, OR	$57K	$73K	$94K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$57K	$73K	$94K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$57K	$73K	$94K	138	None ✓
Austin, TX	$55K	$71K	$92K	110	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$55K	$71K	$92K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$55K	$71K	$92K	118	2.5%
Denver, CO	$55K	$71K	$92K	118	4.55%
Miami, FL	$54K	$69K	$90K	123	None ✓
Tacoma, WA	$54K	$69K	$90K	128	None ✓
Worcester, MA	$54K	$69K	$90K	120	5%
Philadelphia, PA	$54K	$69K	$90K	110	3.07%
Baltimore, MD	$54K	$69K	$90K	115	5.75%
New Haven, CT	$53K	$69K	$88K	122	6.99%
Honolulu, HI	$54K	$69K	$90K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$53K	$68K	$88K	96	None ✓
Plano, TX	$53K	$68K	$88K	105	None ✓
Atlanta, GA	$53K	$68K	$88K	99	5.75%
Minneapolis, MN	$53K	$68K	$88K	106	6.8%
Salt Lake City, UT	$53K	$68K	$88K	105	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$53K	$68K	$88K	118	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$53K	$68K	$88K	120	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$52K	$67K	$86K	108	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	9.3%
Hialeah, FL	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$52K	$67K	$86K	118	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	None ✓
Naperville, IL	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$52K	$67K	$86K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	4.55%
Lowell, MA	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	5%
Raleigh, NC	$52K	$67K	$86K	102	4.75%
Durham, NC	$52K	$67K	$86K	100	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	4.25%
St. Paul, MN	$52K	$67K	$86K	104	6.8%
Gresham, OR	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	9.9%
Frederick, MD	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	5.75%
Bridgeport, CT	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	6.99%
Portland, ME	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	7.15%
Manchester, NH	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	None ✓
Concord, NH	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$52K	$67K	$87K	118	5.99%
Warwick, RI	$52K	$67K	$86K	115	5.99%
Anchorage, AK	$52K	$67K	$86K	128	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$51K	$66K	$85K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$51K	$66K	$85K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$51K	$66K	$85K	112	4.75%
Irving, TX	$50K	$65K	$84K	97	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$50K	$65K	$83K	108	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$50K	$65K	$84K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$50K	$65K	$84K	100	2.5%
Chandler, AZ	$50K	$65K	$84K	105	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$50K	$65K	$83K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$50K	$65K	$83K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$50K	$65K	$83K	108	4.55%
Charlotte, NC	$50K	$65K	$84K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$50K	$65K	$84K	102	None ✓
Eugene, OR	$50K	$65K	$84K	110	9.9%
Provo, UT	$50K	$65K	$84K	100	4.85%
Boise, ID	$50K	$65K	$83K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$50K	$65K	$83K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$50K	$64K	$83K	91	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$49K	$64K	$82K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$49K	$64K	$82K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$49K	$64K	$82K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$49K	$64K	$82K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$49K	$64K	$82K	105	5.8%
Fort Worth, TX	$49K	$63K	$82K	93	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$49K	$63K	$81K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$49K	$63K	$82K	100	None ✓
Reno, NV	$49K	$63K	$82K	108	None ✓
Missoula, MT	$49K	$63K	$81K	102	6.75%
Arlington, TX	$48K	$62K	$80K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$48K	$62K	$80K	91	None ✓
Denton, TX	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	9.3%
Albany, NY	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	6.85%
St. Petersburg, FL	$48K	$62K	$80K	105	None ✓
Port St. Lucie, FL	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	2.5%
Chesapeake, VA	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	5.75%
Richmond, VA	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$48K	$62K	$80K	90	3.99%
Pittsburgh, PA	$48K	$62K	$80K	90	3.07%
Rochester, MN	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	6.8%
Las Vegas, NV	$48K	$62K	$80K	102	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	4.85%
West Jordan, UT	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	4.85%
Orem, UT	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$48K	$62K	$80K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	5.7%
Nampa, ID	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$48K	$62K	$80K	98	7.15%
Dover, DE	$48K	$62K	$80K	100	6.6%
Bakersfield, CA	$47K	$61K	$79K	95	9.3%
Aurora, IL	$47K	$61K	$79K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$47K	$61K	$79K	95	2.5%
Virginia Beach, VA	$47K	$61K	$78K	98	5.75%
Norfolk, VA	$47K	$61K	$79K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$47K	$61K	$79K	95	5.75%
Cincinnati, OH	$47K	$61K	$78K	88	3.99%
Allentown, PA	$47K	$61K	$79K	95	3.07%
Kansas City, MO	$47K	$61K	$78K	90	5.3%
Madison, WI	$47K	$61K	$78K	102	5.3%
North Charleston, SC	$47K	$61K	$79K	95	6.5%
Grand Prairie, TX	$46K	$60K	$77K	90	None ✓
Midland, TX	$47K	$60K	$78K	92	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$46K	$60K	$77K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$46K	$60K	$77K	90	4.95%
Colorado Springs, CO	$46K	$60K	$77K	102	4.55%
Athens, GA	$47K	$60K	$78K	92	5.75%
Sterling Heights, MI	$46K	$60K	$77K	90	4.25%
St. Louis, MO	$46K	$60K	$77K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$46K	$60K	$77K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$46K	$60K	$77K	90	5.3%
Kenosha, WI	$46K	$60K	$77K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$47K	$60K	$78K	92	6.8%
Huntsville, AL	$46K	$60K	$77K	88	5%
Greenville, SC	$47K	$60K	$78K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$47K	$60K	$78K	92	None ✓
Fargo, ND	$46K	$60K	$77K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$46K	$59K	$76K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$46K	$59K	$76K	90	6.85%
Syracuse, NY	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$46K	$59K	$76K	93	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	None ✓
Greensboro, NC	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	None ✓
Detroit, MI	$46K	$59K	$76K	82	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	5%
Des Moines, IA	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	4.82%
Great Falls, MT	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$46K	$59K	$76K	88	None ✓
San Antonio, TX	$45K	$58K	$74K	87	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	5.3%
Lafayette, LA	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$45K	$58K	$75K	85	4.9%
Amarillo, TX	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	None ✓
Waco, TX	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$44K	$57K	$74K	88	6.85%
Rockford, IL	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	4.95%
Pueblo, CO	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	5.75%
Macon, GA	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	None ✓
Akron, OH	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	3.23%
South Bend, IN	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$44K	$57K	$74K	85	5%
Bowling Green, KY	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	5%
Mobile, AL	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	5%
Norman, OK	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	4.75%
Broken Arrow, OK	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$44K	$57K	$74K	82	4.82%
Omaha, NE	$44K	$57K	$74K	88	5.84%
Las Cruces, NM	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$44K	$57K	$73K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$43K	$56K	$72K	78	None ✓
Spokane, WA	$43K	$56K	$72K	95	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$43K	$56K	$72K	82	3.99%
Toledo, OH	$43K	$56K	$72K	78	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$43K	$56K	$72K	90	4.25%
Evansville, IN	$43K	$56K	$72K	78	3.23%
New Orleans, LA	$43K	$56K	$72K	92	6%
Shreveport, LA	$43K	$56K	$72K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$43K	$56K	$72K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$43K	$56K	$72K	78	6.5%
Corpus Christi, TX	$42K	$55K	$70K	84	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$43K	$55K	$71K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$42K	$55K	$70K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$42K	$55K	$70K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$42K	$55K	$70K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$42K	$55K	$70K	85	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$42K	$55K	$70K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$42K	$55K	$70K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$42K	$55K	$70K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$42K	$55K	$70K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$42K	$55K	$70K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$43K	$55K	$71K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$43K	$55K	$71K	75	6.5%
El Paso, TX	$41K	$53K	$68K	82	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$41K	$53K	$69K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$41K	$53K	$68K	82	5.7%
Lubbock, TX	$39K	$51K	$66K	78	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$39K	$51K	$66K	82	4.9%
Laredo, TX	$37K	$48K	$62K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $62K Grant Writer salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Grant Writer Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Grant Writer is $62,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $48,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $80,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Grant Writers nationally earn $102,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in English, Communications, or related field. This role is 65% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Grant Writer compensation is growing at 3.5% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Grant Writer salary FAQ

How much does a Grant Writer make?

The median Grant Writer salary in the US is $62,000 per year — about $30/hour. Most earn between $48,000 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Grant Writer?

Entry-level Grant Writer positions typically start around $48,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Grant Writers earn?

The top 10% of Grant Writers earn $102,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Grant Writers the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Grant Writer salary at $93K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Grant Writer salaries going up?

Yes — Grant Writer pay is growing about 3.5% year over year, near the US average wage-growth rate.

Grant Writer Salaryby City (2026)