Controller Salary
The Controller position in nonprofit organizations encompasses financial leadership positions managing organizational finances, accounting, budgeting, and fiscal compliance. 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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Controller
All U.S. nonprofits
Median Salary
$155,882
Range: $80,963 - $235,031 (10th - 90th percentile)
Based on 5,766 organizations (17,113 positions)
Compensation Distribution
| P10 | $80,963 |
| P25 | $119,264 |
| Median | $155,882 |
| P75 | $190,074 |
| P90 | $235,031 |
Understanding Controller Compensation
The Controller 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: Financial Controller, Comptroller, Corporate Controller, Assistant Controller, Chief Accountant, Accounting Controller.
Related Roles
These positions are in the same peer group and may have similar compensation profiles:
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