How Much Does a Proposal Writer Make in 2025?
A proposal writer job, also called grant writer, develops resources, identifies funding opportunities, and writes grant proposals. They also craft contracts aligning with organizational goals and prepare detailed budgets. Additionally, a proposal writer ensures compliance with funder requirements, deadlines, and legal guidelines and may negotiate contract terms with partners.
Salaries are increasing in response to the increased demand for the profession. As of March 2025, Salary.com indicated that the average annual pay for a proposal writer is $78,801. This sum is dependent upon certifications, location, industry, and experience, all of which will be elaborated upon in subsequent sections of this guide.
What is the Average Proposal Writer’s Salary?
As of March 2025, the average compensation for proposal writing professionals in the United States is $78,801 per year. The average hourly income for proposal writers is $38, with the rates varying between $30 to $47 per hour.
2025 Proposal Writer Average Salary: $78,801 per year ($38 per hour)
Meanwhile, proposal writers earn an average weekly salary of $1,515 and a monthly salary of $6,567, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Proposal Writer?
The salary range for proposal writers is $62,562 to $97,141 per year, with the majority of earnings lying between $70,301 and $88,401 per year, according to a recent report by Salary.com.
However, as mentioned earlier, it's important that the salary range for the job title of proposal writer may vary and be affected by factors such as education, level of experience, and location.
Proposal Writer Salary Range: $62,562 to $97,141 per year ($30 to $47 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30 | $1,203 | $5,214 | $62,562 |
| 25th | $34 | $1,352 | $5,858 | $70,301 |
| 50th (Median) | $38 | $1,515 | $6,567 | $78,801 |
| 75th | $43 | $1,700 | $7,367 | $88,401 |
| 90th | $47 | $1,868 | $8,095 | $97,141 |
Proposal Writer Salary Factors
Education, location, experience, and skills are among the numerous variables that influence the salary of a proposal writer. The following section analyzes each factor and discusses its impact on earnings.
Years of Experience
Based on the number of years of experience, the average annual salary for a proposal writer is $73,740 for entry-level positions and $81,264 for those with over eight years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Proposal Writer | <1 | $73,740 |
| Intermediate Level Proposal Writer | <1 | $73,973 |
| Senior Level Proposal Writer | 2-4 | $75,486 |
| Specialist Level Proposal Writer | 5-8 | $79,137 |
| Expert Level Proposal Writer | 8+ | $81,264 |
Place of Work
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the industry in which writers and authors, including proposal writers, are employed significantly influences their salary.
Professionals employed in higher-paying areas, such as information, generally receive higher salaries than those in other industries.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Information | $77,520 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $70,310 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | $66,060 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | $61,140 |
Skill Set
Proposal writers who possess talents that are in high demand can anticipate an increase in their salaries. According to the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, proposal writers who possess business development skills can earn 9.82% more than those who do not.
Moreover, the report shows that a proposal writer with grant writing skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 5.40%, followed by skills like grant management and grant research.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Business development | 7.70% | +9.82% |
| Grant writing | 32.69% | +5.40% |
| Grant management | 13.20% | +4.96% |
| Grant research | 6.32% | +4.24% |
| Competency management | 5.20% | +3.46% |
| Procurement | 5.93% | +2.79% |
Proposal Writer Salary by City and State
The expected salary of a proposal writer can also be influenced by the geographic location of the proposal writer. This data is essential for those who are involved in the writing industry and are analyzing salary trends, negotiating salary, or preparing career changes.
Highest Paying States for Proposal Writer
According to Salary.com salary data, the District of Columbia provides the highest average annual wage for proposal writers in the United States, amounting to $87,701, with California following at $86,901.
- District of Columbia: $87,701 ($42 per hour)
- California: $86,901 ($42 per hour)
- New Jersey: $86,301 ($41 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $85,701 ($41 per hour)
- Alaska: $85,801 ($41 per hour)
Proposal Writer Salary by State
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $85,801 |
| Alabama | $72,401 |
| Arkansas | $71,801 |
| Arizona | $76,701 |
| California | $86,901 |
| Colorado | $80,401 |
| Connecticut | $84,601 |
| District of Columbia | $87,701 |
| Delaware | $80,001 |
| Florida | $74,801 |
| Georgia | $76,201 |
| Hawaii | $82,301 |
| Iowa | $75,401 |
| Idaho | $73,501 |
| Illinois | $80,601 |
| Indiana | $76,401 |
| Kansas | $75,001 |
| Kentucky | $74,101 |
| Louisiana | $74,901 |
| Massachusetts | $85,701 |
| Maryland | $81,201 |
| Maine | $76,701 |
| Michigan | $77,801 |
| Minnesota | $80,601 |
| Missouri | $75,101 |
| Mississippi | $70,301 |
| Montana | $73,601 |
| North Carolina | $75,601 |
| North Dakota | $78,001 |
| Nebraska | $74,201 |
| New Hampshire | $80,101 |
| New Jersey | $86,301 |
| New Mexico | $72,601 |
| Nevada | $79,101 |
| New York | $84,001 |
| Ohio | $77,001 |
| Oklahoma | $72,901 |
| Oregon | $80,001 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,601 |
| Rhode Island | $82,201 |
| South Carolina | $74,401 |
| South Dakota | $70,801 |
| Tennessee | $73,001 |
| Texas | $77,101 |
| Utah | $74,901 |
| Virginia | $79,001 |
| Vermont | $77,301 |
| Washington | $84,901 |
| Wisconsin | $77,801 |
| West Virginia | $70,901 |
| Wyoming | $75,601 |
Highest Paying Cities for Proposal Writer
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest pay for proposal writer at $98,901 per year or $48 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for proposal writer are:
- San Jose, California: $98,901 (or $48 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $98,501 (or $47 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $96,101 (or $46 per hour)
- New York, New York: $92,001 (or $44 per hour)
- Queens Village, New Jersey: $91,401 (or $29 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $80,701 (or $44 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Proposal Writer
Proposal writers can enhance their compensation by acquiring experience, cultivating valued skills, and advancing in their positions.
- Pursue advanced education: Pursuing further degrees or pertinent certifications might enhance your worth to companies. Salary.com data reports that proposal Writers possessing a JD, MD, PhD, or equivalent frequently receive higher median compensation, which ranges from $76,053 to $81,000.
- Gain Experience: Experience profoundly impacts on the salary of a proposal writer. Entry-level proposal writers with less than a year of experience make roughly $73,740 annually, but those with 2-4 years of experience which are considered as senior proposal writers earn around $75,486. Obtaining experience can qualify you for higher-paying opportunities.
- Learn in-demand skills: According to Salary.com data, proficiency in highly compensated skills such as business management and grant writing can expect a salary increase of 9.82% and 5.40%, respectively. Specialized skills could result in positions with more responsibility and increased compensation.
- Seek opportunities in high-paying regions: Geographical location influences salary levels. Proposal writers in California and the District of Columbia typically receive higher compensation, which is $86,901 and $86,901, respectively. Moving to regions with higher average salaries can enhance your earnings.
- Advance to a leadership role: Transitioning into a proposal manager role can offer higher pay and greater responsibility. Proposal managers oversee teams of proposal writers and collaborate with subject matter experts to develop compelling proposals.
- Negotiate effectively: Use salary information to negotiate higher compensation. The average yearly pay for a Proposal Writer in the United States is $78,801, with the majority of professionals making between $70,301 and $88,401. Providing this data during negotiations can bolster your argument for an increased salary and ensure you are paid fairly.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of March 6, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for a proposal writer in the United States is $74,941.2 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$78,801/year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$78,999/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$67,476/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$68,182/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$81,248/year
