Independent Sector and Do Good Institute Release New Value of Volunteer Time of $36.14 Per Hour

Why It Matters

The higher volunteer hour valuation gives nonprofits and corporations a stronger metric for quantifying community impact and justifying investment in volunteer programs. It also highlights the expanding economic contribution of the U.S. volunteer workforce amid rising wages.

Key Takeaways

• Volunteer hour value rises to $36.14, up 3.9% YoY.
• All 50 states plus DC and Puerto Rico show increased values.
• DC leads with $54.77 per hour; Puerto Rico lowest at $17.99.
• Georgia records fastest growth, 7.9% increase to $35.22.
• 75% of nonprofits deem volunteers crucial; 23% fully dependent.

Pulse Analysis

The Independent Sector and the Do Good Institute’s new volunteer‑time valuation builds on a methodology that ties the economic worth of service to the average hourly earnings of non‑supervisory private workers, as reported by the BLS. By using 2025 preliminary wage data, the $36.14 figure reflects both real wage growth and the intrinsic value volunteers bring, offering a standardized benchmark for the nonprofit sector and corporate CSR programs.

For nonprofits, the updated metric sharpens the case for donor stewardship and grant reporting, translating hours of service into a dollar amount that can be highlighted in impact statements. Corporations can now more accurately calculate the return on employee volunteer initiatives, supporting tax‑benefit analyses and internal sustainability goals. Policymakers and funders also gain a clearer picture of the volunteer economy’s contribution to GDP, informing decisions on workforce development and community investment.

State‑level disparities—from $17.99 in Puerto Rico to $54.77 in the District of Columbia—underscore how local cost‑of‑living differences shape perceived value. Organizations can leverage these granular insights to tailor recruitment, set realistic service targets, and benchmark performance against regional peers. As wages continue to rise, the volunteer‑time value is likely to keep climbing, reinforcing the sector’s role as a vital economic engine and a catalyst for social capital across the United States.