What is the average Nonprofit Executive Director salary in the US?

The national median Nonprofit Executive Director salary is $85,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $62,000, while senior professionals earn $165,000 or more.

Which city pays Nonprofit Executive Directors the most?

New York City offers the highest median Nonprofit Executive Director salary at $159K per year among the cities we track. However, high-cost cities like San Francisco and New York often have lower purchasing power once cost of living is factored in.

How fast are Nonprofit Executive Director salaries growing?

Nonprofit Executive Director salaries are growing at 3.2% annually, near the national average wage growth rate.

Nonprofit30% remote-eligible+3.2% YoY growth

Nonprofit Executive Director Salary
by City (2026)

Lead nonprofit organizations to fulfill their mission through strategy, fundraising, and operations. National median: $85K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$85K

Top 10% earn

$165K

Entry level

$62K

Salary growth

+3.2%/yr

Nonprofit Executive Director salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
New York City, NY	$116K	$159K	$221K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$115K	$157K	$218K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$115K	$157K	$218K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$109K	$149K	$207K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$107K	$146K	$203K	172	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$102K	$140K	$195K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$102K	$140K	$195K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$100K	$138K	$191K	162	None ✓
Stamford, CT	$98K	$134K	$186K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$96K	$132K	$183K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$93K	$128K	$177K	150	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$92K	$126K	$175K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$92K	$126K	$175K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$90K	$123K	$171K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$90K	$123K	$171K	145	10.75%
Paterson, NJ	$87K	$119K	$165K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$86K	$117K	$163K	138	9.3%
Edison, NJ	$86K	$117K	$163K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$86K	$117K	$163K	138	None ✓
Washington, DC	$79K	$109K	$151K	152	8.5%
San Francisco, CA	$78K	$106K	$148K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$76K	$104K	$144K	210	9.3%
New Haven, CT	$76K	$104K	$144K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$74K	$102K	$142K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	None ✓
Oakland, CA	$73K	$100K	$139K	185	9.3%
Riverside, CA	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	None ✓
Boston, MA	$73K	$100K	$139K	162	5%
Lowell, MA	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$73K	$100K	$139K	118	5.99%
Los Angeles, CA	$71K	$98K	$136K	163	9.3%
Hialeah, FL	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	None ✓
Lakewood, CO	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	4.55%
Arlington, VA	$71K	$98K	$136K	148	5.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	5.75%
Jersey City, NJ	$71K	$98K	$136K	162	10.75%
Portland, ME	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$71K	$98K	$136K	115	5.99%
San Diego, CA	$69K	$95K	$132K	148	9.3%
Pembroke Pines, FL	$69K	$95K	$132K	112	None ✓
Seattle, WA	$69K	$95K	$132K	150	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$69K	$95K	$132K	112	4.55%
Cary, NC	$69K	$95K	$132K	112	4.75%
Newark, NJ	$69K	$95K	$132K	155	10.75%
Austin, TX	$68K	$94K	$130K	110	None ✓
Worcester, MA	$68K	$94K	$130K	120	5%
Eugene, OR	$68K	$94K	$130K	110	9.9%
Round Rock, TX	$67K	$92K	$127K	108	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$67K	$92K	$127K	128	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$67K	$92K	$127K	155	9.3%
Gilbert, AZ	$67K	$92K	$127K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$67K	$92K	$127K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$67K	$92K	$127K	108	4.55%
Philadelphia, PA	$67K	$92K	$127K	110	3.07%
Portland, OR	$67K	$92K	$127K	130	9.9%
Baltimore, MD	$67K	$92K	$127K	115	5.75%
Boise, ID	$67K	$92K	$127K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$67K	$92K	$127K	108	6.6%
Honolulu, HI	$67K	$92K	$127K	192	11%
Plano, TX	$65K	$89K	$124K	105	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$65K	$89K	$124K	105	9.3%
Chicago, IL	$65K	$89K	$124K	107	4.95%
Denver, CO	$65K	$89K	$124K	118	4.55%
Springfield, MA	$65K	$89K	$124K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$65K	$89K	$124K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$65K	$89K	$124K	105	None ✓
Hartford, CT	$65K	$89K	$124K	118	6.99%
Meridian, ID	$65K	$89K	$124K	105	5.8%
Carrollton, TX	$63K	$87K	$120K	102	None ✓
Tacoma, WA	$63K	$87K	$120K	128	None ✓
Durham, NC	$63K	$87K	$120K	100	4.75%
Minneapolis, MN	$63K	$87K	$120K	106	6.8%
Missoula, MT	$63K	$87K	$120K	102	6.75%
Anchorage, AK	$63K	$87K	$120K	128	None ✓
Denton, TX	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	9.3%
Miami, FL	$62K	$85K	$118K	123	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	2.5%
Atlanta, GA	$62K	$85K	$118K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$62K	$85K	$118K	102	4.75%
Madison, WI	$62K	$85K	$118K	102	5.3%
St. Paul, MN	$62K	$85K	$118K	104	6.8%
Rochester, MN	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$62K	$85K	$118K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	None ✓
Scottsdale, AZ	$61K	$83K	$116K	118	2.5%
Aurora, CO	$61K	$83K	$116K	112	4.55%
Chesapeake, VA	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	5.75%
Nashville, TN	$61K	$83K	$116K	102	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	None ✓
Salt Lake City, UT	$61K	$83K	$116K	105	4.85%
West Valley City, UT	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$61K	$83K	$116K	98	7.15%
Dallas, TX	$60K	$82K	$113K	96	None ✓
Tampa, FL	$60K	$82K	$113K	102	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$60K	$82K	$113K	118	None ✓
Charlotte, NC	$60K	$82K	$113K	100	4.75%
Richmond, VA	$60K	$82K	$113K	98	5.75%
Irving, TX	$59K	$81K	$112K	97	None ✓
Bakersfield, CA	$59K	$81K	$112K	95	9.3%
Orlando, FL	$59K	$81K	$112K	100	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$59K	$81K	$112K	95	4.95%
Phoenix, AZ	$59K	$81K	$112K	100	2.5%
Glendale, AZ	$59K	$81K	$112K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$59K	$81K	$112K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$59K	$81K	$112K	95	5.75%
Pittsburgh, PA	$59K	$81K	$112K	90	3.07%
Allentown, PA	$59K	$81K	$112K	95	3.07%
Provo, UT	$59K	$81K	$112K	100	4.85%
North Charleston, SC	$59K	$81K	$112K	95	6.5%
Arlington, TX	$58K	$80K	$111K	94	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$58K	$80K	$111K	108	None ✓
St. Petersburg, FL	$58K	$80K	$111K	105	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$58K	$80K	$111K	105	2.5%
Virginia Beach, VA	$58K	$80K	$111K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$58K	$80K	$111K	90	3.99%
Charleston, SC	$58K	$80K	$111K	105	6.5%
Fort Worth, TX	$58K	$79K	$110K	93	None ✓
Garland, TX	$57K	$78K	$109K	91	None ✓
Midland, TX	$57K	$78K	$109K	92	None ✓
Rochester, NY	$57K	$78K	$109K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$57K	$78K	$109K	93	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$57K	$78K	$109K	98	2.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$57K	$78K	$109K	102	4.55%
Athens, GA	$57K	$78K	$109K	92	5.75%
Cincinnati, OH	$57K	$78K	$109K	88	3.99%
Kansas City, MO	$57K	$78K	$109K	90	5.3%
St. Louis, MO	$57K	$78K	$109K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$57K	$78K	$109K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$57K	$78K	$109K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$57K	$78K	$109K	92	6.8%
Las Vegas, NV	$57K	$78K	$109K	102	None ✓
Reno, NV	$57K	$78K	$109K	108	None ✓
Greenville, SC	$57K	$78K	$109K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$57K	$78K	$109K	92	None ✓
Houston, TX	$56K	$77K	$107K	91	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$56K	$77K	$106K	90	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$56K	$77K	$106K	102	9.3%
Buffalo, NY	$56K	$77K	$106K	88	6.85%
Tallahassee, FL	$56K	$77K	$106K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$56K	$77K	$106K	90	4.95%
Sterling Heights, MI	$56K	$77K	$106K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$56K	$77K	$106K	90	5.3%
Louisville, KY	$56K	$77K	$106K	85	5%
Huntsville, AL	$56K	$77K	$106K	88	5%
New Orleans, LA	$56K	$77K	$106K	92	6%
Fargo, ND	$56K	$77K	$106K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	None ✓
Spokane, WA	$55K	$75K	$104K	95	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$55K	$75K	$104K	90	2.5%
Greensboro, NC	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$55K	$75K	$104K	82	3.99%
Detroit, MI	$55K	$75K	$104K	82	4.25%
Grand Rapids, MI	$55K	$75K	$104K	90	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	5%
Columbia, SC	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	6.5%
Des Moines, IA	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	4.82%
Omaha, NE	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	5.84%
Albuquerque, NM	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$55K	$75K	$104K	88	None ✓
San Antonio, TX	$54K	$74K	$103K	87	None ✓
Birmingham, AL	$53K	$73K	$101K	82	5%
Baton Rouge, LA	$53K	$73K	$101K	88	6%
Beaumont, TX	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	None ✓
Savannah, GA	$53K	$72K	$100K	92	5.75%
Winston-Salem, NC	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	4.75%
Memphis, TN	$53K	$72K	$100K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	None ✓
Warren, MI	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	5.3%
Oklahoma City, OK	$53K	$72K	$100K	82	4.75%
Lafayette, LA	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$53K	$72K	$100K	85	4.9%
Corpus Christi, TX	$52K	$71K	$99K	84	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$51K	$71K	$98K	80	4.75%
El Paso, TX	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	4.82%
Wichita, KS	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	5.7%
Little Rock, AR	$51K	$70K	$97K	82	4.9%
Laredo, TX	$50K	$68K	$94K	76	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$50K	$68K	$94K	80	5%
Lubbock, TX	$48K	$66K	$92K	78	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$48K	$66K	$92K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$48K	$66K	$92K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$48K	$66K	$92K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$48K	$66K	$92K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$48K	$66K	$92K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$48K	$66K	$92K	78	6.5%
Brownsville, TX	$47K	$64K	$89K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$47K	$64K	$89K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$47K	$64K	$89K	75	6.5%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $85K Nonprofit Executive Director salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Nonprofit Executive Director Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Nonprofit Executive Director is $85,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $62,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $118,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Nonprofit Executive Directors nationally earn $165,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's or Master's in Nonprofit Management or related. This role is 30% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Nonprofit Executive Director compensation is growing at 3.2% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Nonprofit Executive Director Salaryby City (2026)