Over 80% of nonprofits use temporary staff, regularly and in a variety of ways. In the for-profit sector, 96% of corporations use Temps often and regularly to manage their workforce needs.
With the use of temporary staff by nonprofit organizations trending up, we took a look at the reasons why.
- Just as with for-profit companies, the unemployment rate is very low and the difficulty of finding qualified talent has increased.
- Nonprofits are finding that hiring Temps can be very cost-effective, especially when the salary budget line is tight.
- Temps offset the problems associated with being short-staffed, such as work not being done, grant-driven projects not completed on time, lost donor relationships, and lack of full program development and delivery.
- Not hiring temporary staff during staff vacancies can negatively affect the bottom line of an organization.
Using Temps enables an organization to choose from a broad group of diverse candidates to meet immediate, specific, long and short-term needs. This access to talent gives even small nonprofits access to an extensive range of skills and experience that they may not otherwise be able to afford when hiring a full-time, permanent hire.
Nonprofit Temp Pay Scale
We analyzed Temp rates for 60 key positions, recognizing that there will be differences between particular skills and experience levels of individual candidates. Organizations may have differing titles and job descriptions for positions, so these rates are a guide, not as an absolute. The rates below are based on 40 hours or less per week. Hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week will usually require a higher rate, as per labor law requirements, for overtime.
GENERAL OFFICE, ADMIN. SUPPORT
Clerk $25 – $27
Receptionist $27 – $35
Data Entry Clerk $25 – $29
Customer Service Representative $25 – $30
Administrative Assistant $30 – $40
Executive Assistant $45 – $50
Office Manager $36 – $45
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING
Junior Accounting Clerk $27 – $32
Bookkeeper $35 – $40
Payroll Associate $32 – $40
Grants Accountant $45 – $50
Staff Accountant $45 – $60
Controller/ Finance Manager $90 – $110
DEVELOPMENT/ FUNDRAISING
Event Support $25 – $30
Development Assistant $35 – $42
Development Associate $37 – $45
Prospect Researcher $37 – $45
Fundraising Database Entry $37 – $38
Fundraising Database Administrator $45 – $55
Special Events Assistant $25 – $30
Special Events Coordinator $35 – $50
Major Gifts/Capital Campaign Coordinator $60 – $80
Grants Writer $60 – $80
Assistant Director of Development $70 – $85
INTERIM EXECUTIVES
Executive Director (Interim/ Acting) $100 – $175
Director of Development $90 – $160
Chief Financial Officer $90 – $160
Director of Human Resources $80 – $125
Director of Marketing $80 – $125
Director of Membership $80 – $125
Director of IT $80 – $125
Director of Advocacy/Government Relations $75 – $115
PROGRAMS
Program Assistant $27 – $32
Program Associate/ Coordinator $30 – $40
Program Manager/ Director $50 – $75
Membership Coordinator $35 – $50
Conferences Coordinator $35 – $45
Substance Abuse Counselor $32 – $42
Case Manager/ Intake Specialist $35 – $40
LMSW $40 – $50
LCSW $50 – $60
MSW/ CSW $38 – $50
HUMAN RESOURCES
Human Resources Clerk $25 – $32
Recruiter $37 – $45
Human Resources Generalist $45 – $50
Benefits/ Comp Administrator $50 – $60
COMMUNICATIONS
Writer/ Editor $40 – $50
PR Associate $30 – $38
Marketing Associate/ Coordinator $32 – $42
Publications Manager/ Editor $40 – $50
Social Media Coordinator $32 – $40
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY/ GRAPHICS
Help Desk support $40 – $65
Desktop Publisher $35 – $55
Web/ Graphic/ Digital Designer $40 – $65
Information Technology Specialist Determined by Project
Web Developer $95 – $125
System/ Network Administrator $85 – $105
Software Engineer $120 – $155
A/ V Tech Sr. $50 – $80
A/ V Tech Jr. $37 – $55
Temps are particularly useful to nonprofit organizations because of the type of projects they tend to oversee, such as assisting with a short term program or humanitarian need, writing grant proposals (or fulfilling grant requirements), entering donor data, and helping with special fundraising events. And yes, Temps still cover for staff vacations, family leave, extended absences, and do still appear at the reception desk.