Where can I find salary information for nonprofit jobs?
Many state nonprofit associations publish state-level salary surveys. Try an Internet search for these keywords: nonprofit salary [your state name here]. You also may be able to get executive summaries or the entirety of these survey reports at these associations' web sites, their offices, or at your local library. Find your state's nonprofit association.
Some of the best-known sources of information about nonprofit salaries are available for purchase. They include the Candid Nonprofit Compensation Report, the Economic Research Institute's Nonprofits Salary Survey and, if you need foundation salaries, the annual Council on Foundations Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report. Members of the Association of Fundraising Professionals can access AFP's Compensation and Benefits Report.
Selected online, free salary calculators are also listed in the links below.
Lastly, look at current job openings for the same positions(s) in nonprofits in your area. Please note that the salary for the same position can vary widely, based on many variables, such as:
- geography
- organization's size, type, and scope of services
- duties/responsibilities
- qualifications and experience
If you're looking for salary information because you're feeling burned out in your job, you can learn about staying strong and resilient in the Candid video, Skills for Overcoming Burnout--Refueling the Fire.
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Staff-recommended websites
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Council on Foundations
2022 Grantmaker Salary and Benefits Report
Provides data on the composition and compensation of U.S. foundations, by grantmaker type, foundation type, asset size, and geographic location. Respondents include community foundations, corporate foundations, operating foundations, public foundations, and private foundations (including family foundations).
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Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
AFP Compensation and Benefits Report
AFP's annual report is the baseline for data about compensation and benefits for the fundraising profession. Members can access the report for free.
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Staff pick
PayScale
Average Salary for Industry: Non-Profit Organization
Listing of average industry salaries for nonprofit organization job positions, including Executive Director, Human Resources Manager, Grants Officer, etc.
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Staff pick
National Council of Nonprofits
Compensation For Nonprofit Employees
Looks at various aspects of nonprofit employee compensation including executive compensation, bonuses, overtime, and pay rates.
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National Council of Nonprofits
Executive Compensation Policies
Article discusses how to ensure that nonprofit executive compensation is "reasonable and not excessive" and provides a link to the National Council of Nonprofits' sample compensation policy.
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Venable
Navigating the Wage and Hour Law Maze of Unpaid Internships at Nonprofit Organizations
Discusses whether and how the Fair Labor Standards Act covers unpaid interns. Describes a "six-part test to help determine whether an individual is a "trainee," as opposed to an employee requiring compensation."
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Staff pick
Candid
Nonprofit Compensation Report
This annual report provides compensation data on 14 top executive positions, including CEO, CFO, and more. Comprised from IRS data to ensure an accurate, complete, and unbiased information source.
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Economic Research Institute (ERI)
Nonprofits Salary Survey
Reports compensation data for 369 benchmark jobs across all U.S. nonprofit sectors. Positions include top and middle management; supervisory; health care; professional; sales; technicians, para-professional and skilled craft; and field, shop, services, and clerical.
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Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Profiles cover hundreds of occupations and describe: What They Do, Work Environment, How to Become One, Pay, and more. Each profile also includes BLS employment projections for the 2021-31 decade.
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Rebuttable Presumption Procedure [pdf]
Explains who must make decisions, what data must be used, and how and when to document decisions. Includes a checklist/worksheet to use for each employee. Written by Steven T. Miller, Director Exempt Organizations, IRS.
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Staff pick
Economic Research Institute
SalaryExpert's Free Calculator
Search through compensation data from nonprofit organizations by job title and geographic location.
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Lifeway
Southern Baptist Convention Compensation Study
Conducted every 2 years and based on 10,000+ responses from ministers and employees of Southern Baptist churches. Free access to reports based on attendance, budget, experience, etc.
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National Council of Nonprofits
State Nonprofit Data & Reports
This interactive map provides nonprofit data by state, including employment, revenues, expenses, assets, and contributions. When available, it also provides links to the latest state-level report on the nonprofit sector, and to the state association's most recent nonprofit salary survey/compensation & benefits report and nonprofit job board.
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Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)
What is Reasonable Nonprofit Compensation? A Guide to Avoid IRS Penalties
Article summarizes private inurement, excess benefit transactions, and private benefit.
Staff-recommended books
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The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for Sector Switchers
Find: Amazon | Free eBook
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The Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers for First-time Job Seekers
Find: Amazon | Free eBook