What nonprofits like yours pay their top leaders, from 120,239 IRS Form 990s, by budget, type and state, plus typical raises.
Based on 22,835 nonprofits with $1M–$2.5M in revenue.
$1M–$2.5M in revenue
| Role | Filings | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top leader (ED, CEO or president) | 22,835 | $78K | $108K | $150K |
| Finance (CFO, finance director) | 1,240 | $57K | $88K | $118K |
| Operations (COO, operations director) | 1,196 | $80K | $107K | $137K |
| Other VP (no function in title) | 1,259 | $56K | $104K | $144K |
| Development / fundraising | 332 | $101K | $114K | $139K |
| Programs | 402 | $90K | $110K | $127K |
| HR / people | 31 | $95K | $125K | $148K |
| Technology (CIO, CTO, IT) | 48 | $112K | $132K | $147K |
| Legal (general counsel) | 97 | $110K | $135K | $179K |
| Marketing | 101 | $104K | $117K | $145K |
| Communications / PR | 95 | $103K | $113K | $134K |
| Administration (CAO) | 94 | $77K | $107K | $135K |
| Education (principal, dean) | 290 | $69K | $97K | $121K |
| Medical / clinical | 65 | $89K | $139K | $209K |
Other roles appear on Form 990 only when the person is an officer, a key employee (over $150,000) or one of the five highest-paid staff over $100,000, so these figures run high, especially at smaller budgets. Pay under $15,000 is left out, as in most salary surveys. Roles with fewer than 30 filings at this size aren't shown.
| Revenue | FY2023 median | FY2024 median | FY2025 median | Raise FY23→24 | Raise FY24→25 | Got a raise FY24→25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under $500K | $53,200 | $59,200 | $60,200 | 3.8% | 2.3% | 56% |
| $500K–$1M | $80,200 | $87,500 | $90,800 | 4.5% | 3.4% | 64% |
| $1M–$2.5M | $104,200 | $114,100 | $119,300 | 5.0% | 3.7% | 68% |
| $2.5M–$5M | $133,400 | $144,600 | $152,400 | 5.0% | 4.2% | 72% |
| $5M–$10M | $161,200 | $175,000 | $181,500 | 5.3% | 4.2% | 73% |
| $10M–$25M | $203,100 | $220,400 | $232,300 | 5.6% | 4.3% | 74% |
| $25M–$50M | $261,400 | $283,200 | $300,000 | 5.7% | 4.8% | 77% |
| $50M+ | $411,300 | $446,800 | $473,900 | 5.7% | 5.3% | 76% |
| All budgets | $112,900 | $122,500 | $127,900 | 4.9% | 3.8% | 68% |
27,390 nonprofits with the same paid top leader (matched by name) on all three years’ Form 990s, grouped by FY2023 revenue. FY2025 covers nonprofits that have filed it so far, mostly early filers.
Source: IRS Form 990 e-filings, the same nonprofits in fiscal 2023, 2024 and 2025. Analysis: Thrive Benefits Group.
Salary as reported to the IRS (W-2 or 1099 pay from the organization; benefits and retirement not included). Top leader = the paid executive director, CEO or president listed on Form 990 Part VII.
Source: IRS Form 990 e-filings, latest filing per nonprofit (mostly fiscal 2024 and 2025). Analysis: Thrive Benefits Group.
The median nonprofit top leader (executive director, CEO or president) was paid $107,500 on the latest Form 990. It depends mostly on budget: $81,600 at $500K–$1M in revenue, $139,000 at $2.5M–$5M and $467,400 at $50M or more.
Among nonprofits that kept the same top leader from fiscal 2023 to 2024, the median raise was 4.5%. 68% got a raise and 12% were paid the same. For the 27,390 nonprofits with the same leader all three years, raises went from 4.9% to 3.8% in fiscal 2025. Raises ran larger at bigger budgets: 3.2% under $500K in revenue, 6.0% at $50M or more. Across the Southeast and Texas, the median raise ran from 3.7% to 5.3% by state.
What similar organizations would pay for similar work. Boards show it by comparing pay at similar nonprofits, deciding without conflicted members, and writing the decision down at the time.
Part VII lists all current officers, directors and trustees, key employees paid over $150,000, and the five highest-paid other employees over $100,000. Schedule J adds detail, including bonuses, deferred pay and benefits, for anyone whose total compensation tops $150,000.
The amount on the person's W-2 (box 1 or 5) or Form 1099 from the organization. Retirement contributions, health benefits and deferred pay are reported separately as other compensation.
Federal tax law allows reasonable compensation for board members, but most boards serve unpaid. State law and bylaws can limit it, paid members are disclosed on Form 990 Part VII, and pay can affect whether a member counts as independent.