governance

Board Chair Salary

The Board Chair position in nonprofit organizations encompasses specialized leadership positions providing expertise in areas like legal, technology, marketing, and human resources. This benchmark data reflects compensation trends from IRS Form 990 filings, providing transparent and verifiable salary information for this critical role.

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Board Chair

All U.S. nonprofits

Median Salary

$48,750

Range: $1,750 - $660,976 (10th - 90th percentile)

Strong benchmark (2,338 records, 1,023 orgs)

Based on 1,023 organizations (2,338 positions)

Compensation Distribution

Salary Distribution
P10$1,750
P25$8,806
Median$48,750
P75$231,207
P90$660,976

Understanding Board Chair Compensation

The Board Chair role is a critical position within nonprofit organizations. Compensation for this position varies significantly based on factors including:

  • Geographic Location: Salaries in major metropolitan areas tend to be higher than in rural regions due to cost of living differences.
  • Organization Size: Larger nonprofits with bigger budgets typically offer higher compensation packages.
  • Sector: Different nonprofit sectors (health, education, social services, etc.) have varying compensation norms.
  • Experience Level: Years of experience and track record significantly impact salary expectations.

About This Data

This benchmark data is sourced from IRS Form 990 filings, which nonprofits are required to submit annually. Form 990 reports compensation for officers, directors, trustees, key employees earning over $150,000, and the five highest-compensated employees earning over $100,000. For general staff positions not covered by Form 990, we supplement with Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data.

Related Job Titles

This position may also be known as: Board Chairperson, Chairperson of the Board.

Related Roles

These positions are in the same peer group and may have similar compensation profiles:

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