5 of the Best Types of Community Development Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Community Development jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Community Development Jobs

• Community Development Director

  Salary range: $94,500 - $159,000

  A community development director typically has a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a similar field. Other qualifications include experience in community planning and management skills. You can gain the skills you need to fulfill your responsibilities as a specialist or in another entry-level role. Work or volunteer experience with an organization or in a position focused on a specific community, like the elderly or people with disabilities, is particularly useful. As a community development director, you may also need reliable transportation to travel to various events and local organizations. You can typically find these jobs with local government offices and non-profit organizations.

• Entry Level Community Development

  Salary range: $58,500 - $91,500

  Entry-level jobs are positions that do not require any previous experience in the role. Most entry-level jobs are aimed at high school or college graduates as a starting point for a future career goal. A college student may have majored in their ideal career field, but will still need to start in an entry-level position to train in a real-world environment. Some students move from internships into entry-level jobs, but most entry-level jobs do not expect a candidate to have any prior employment or on-site training.

• Community Development Manager

  Salary range: $58,500 - $91,500

  To pursue a career as a community development manager, earn a bachelor’s degree in business management, finance, accounting, marketing, or a related field. Acquire an entry-level position in finance or marketing to learn how the company establishes financial goals and what it does to promote the company brand. Network with other area businesses to cultivate relationships. Seek leadership roles to gain management experience. Assist with community events when possible. Once you have several years of experience in the industry, seek community development manager positions.

• Community Development Coordinator

  Salary range: $50,500 - $77,500

  Coordinators plan and schedule events, programs, or projects. In this position, you can work in a variety of industries, so your duties and the necessary qualifications vary by field. There are project coordinators who work in the construction, manufacturing, and development industries, program coordinators, who typically work in education, community outreach, or non-profit organizations, and numerous other positions that require significant coordination experience. For those who work in labor industries, coordination might include developing timetables and budgets for the ordering and delivery of materials or services, while at a school, an instructional coordinator might prepare an afterschool program curriculum.

• Community Development Internship

  Salary range: $30,000 - $40,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.