Chief Operating Officer salaries at nonprofits
Nonprofit COOs earn an average of $200,117 per year, including benefits, with the top 5% of COOs working at nonprofits earning more than $497,613
Nonprofit chief operating officers (and directors of operations) carry out the day-to-day operational management of nonprofits, including overseeing staff, programs, finances, and facilities. They are typically members of the executive leadership team, working closely with the chief executive officer (or executive director) to ensure that the organization is running efficiently and effectively. They are also among the highest-paid nonprofit executives, along with the CEOs.
How is the COO different than the CEO? The CEO is responsible for setting the strategic direction and making top-level decisions, while the COO oversees the day-to-day operations and implements the CEO's vision. In a 501(c)(3) charity setting, the CEO and executive directors have additional fundraising responsibilities, which COOs do not have. While the vast majority of nonprofits do not have COOs (or directors of operations) on staff, this analysis found 12,010 that do, typically larger organizations.
Trends in compensation for chief operating officers at nonprofits
Nonprofit COOs earn an average of $199,696 per year in total compensation, including benefits. Half of the COOs at tax-exempt organizations make more than $148,847 per year. The top 5% of nonprofit COOs earn more than $498,773, and the bottom 5% of nonprofit COOs (including Directors of Operations) earn less than $41,816 per year. The highest paid nonprofit COOs earn more than $1M per year, with some well over that amount.
The highest-paid nonprofit COOs (making more than $500,000 per year) tend to work for hospitals, universities, and trade associations. Conversely, the lowest-paid nonprofit COOs (making less than $50,000 per year) tend to work for churches, animal shelters, and humanitarian organizations. What's the difference between these types of organizations? The higher-paid COOs tend to work for larger organizations with more employees and complicated operations. These nonprofits also tend to earn significant revenues from providing program services (e.g., tuition fees, membership dues) versus being reliant on donations and grants. While trade associations may seem like an outlier for highly-paid COOs, they are actually complex entities. Associations must manage the activities of many different organizations within a particular industry, including lobbying, developing industry standards, providing legal assistance, creating educational programs, and dealing with complex federal and state regulatory issues.
The following charts show a breakdown of COO total compensation ranges at nonprofits, and which types of nonprofits pay their COOs more than $500,000 per year.
Nonprofit COO compensation ranges
| COO salary | Number of nonprofit COOs | |
|---|---|---|
| < $100,000 |
2,734
| |
| $100,000 to $250,000 |
6,843
| |
| $250,000 to $500,000 |
1,834
| |
| $500,000 to $1,000,000 |
472
| |
| > $1,000,000 |
127
| |
Types of nonprofits with COOs making > $500,000 per year
| Nonprofit type | Number of nonprofits w/COOs paid >$500k per year | |
|---|---|---|
| Trade / professional associations |
110
| |
| Universities |
87
| |
| Organizations supporting a health care nonprofit |
80
| |
| School foundations |
78
| |
| Community clinics |
76
| |
| Multiservice human service organizations |
69
| |
| Cancer organizations |
68
| |
| Public health programs |
59
| |
| General hospitals |
53
| |
| Urban development organizations |
53
| |
The top 50 highest paid nonprofit COOs
- Leslie C Davis Upm, Upmc GroupTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer / Senior Vice President , Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer HSD / Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer HSDCompensation$11,314,762% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$22,568,515,184Data date2023-06LocationWebsite
- Carolyn Wilson, Beaumont Hospital Royal OakTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$6,551,084% Org revenue0.2%% Org comp0.4%Revenue$2,928,506,457Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Tammie Brailsford, MemorialCareTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$4,843,966% Org revenue1.1%% Org comp3.2%Revenue$422,096,386Data date2021-06LocationWebsite
- Robert A Ettl, Harvard Management CompanyTitleMD - Operations / MD - Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer *Compensation$4,840,210% Org revenue3.8%% Org comp5.4%Revenue$128,714,153Data date2020-06LocationWebsite
- Robert W Allen, Ihc Health ServicesTitleSenior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer / Regional Vice President , Park City - Heber RegionCompensation$4,837,304% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$8,708,705,295Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Michael F Hulefeld, Ochsner Medical CenterTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$4,516,646% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.2%Revenue$5,075,999,430Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Karen L. Hanlon, Highmark HealthTitleExecutive Vice President , Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$4,354,416% Org revenue0.9%% Org comp1.0%Revenue$492,941,379Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Sanjeev Daga, Harvard Management CompanyTitleChief Operating OfficerCompensation$3,982,873% Org revenue3.1%% Org comp4.4%Revenue$128,714,153Data date2023-06LocationWebsite
- Mark Solazzo, Northwell HealthcareTitlePresident , Strategic InitiativesCompensation$3,858,387% Org revenue0.2%% Org comp0.4%
- Price Ronald E, PGA TourTitleChief Operating OfficerCompensation$3,725,738% Org revenue0.2%% Org comp1.7%Revenue$1,897,747,134Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Michael Gentry, Sentara HealthcareTitleChief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President / Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer / Former Officer / Former Officer / Former Officer / Former Officer / Corporate Vice PresidentCompensation$3,439,169% Org revenue0.9%% Org comp2.4%Revenue$401,206,637Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- James Conforti, Sutter HealthTitleSH Senior Vice President , Interim Chief Executive Officer / SH Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer / President , SH Valley Area / President , Sac SierraCompensation$3,146,253% Org revenue0.2%% Org comp0.3%Revenue$1,882,657,852Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Brian Smith, Bon Secours Mercy HealthTitlePresident , Core Operations / President and Chief Operating Officer / Chief Operating Officer of the Year. / Executive Vice President , Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$3,112,770% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$8,211,838,521Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Dileso Nicholas, Mount Auburn HospitalTitlePast Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$3,054,759% Org revenue0.8%% Org comp2.1%
- Robert G. Riney, Henry Ford HealthTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$3,051,952% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$3,987,316,990Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Albert Boulenger, Baptist Health South FloridaincTitlePresident and Chief Executive Officer / Chief Operating Officer Beg 2 and 20 and 18 / Chief Executive Officer - Baptist Hospital of MiamiCompensation$3,051,166% Org revenue0.3%% Org comp0.5%Revenue$1,102,432,278Data date2023-09LocationWebsite
- Mark S. Stauder, Hackensack Meridian Health -subordinatesTitleChief Operating OfficerCompensation$2,957,591% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$6,674,422,433Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Benjamin R. Carter, Trinity Health CorporationTitleExecutive Vice President , Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$2,857,735% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.3%Revenue$2,630,217,464Data date2023-06LocationWebsite
- Lisa Shannon, Allina HealthTitlePresident and Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,730,226% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$5,162,065,945Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Quinn McKenna, Stanford Health CareTitleChief Operating OfficerCompensation$2,674,224% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$7,049,201,975Data date2023-08LocationWebsite
- Jamal A Hakim, Orlando HealthTitleChief Physician Officer / Senior Vice President , Chief Operating Officer / Chief Operating Officer / Board Member , Interim Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$2,609,718% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.2%Revenue$4,224,072,287Data date2023-09LocationWebsite
- Kathryn Martin, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer / Chief Operating Officer Effective / Chief Operating Officer , / Executive Vice President and Hospital AdministratorCompensation$2,506,489% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$7,462,624,000Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Kathryn Martin, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer CenterTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer / Chief Operating Officer Effective / Chief Operating Officer , Memorial Sloan KetteringCompensation$2,506,489% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.3%Revenue$1,846,045,000Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- David Barclay, The University of ChicagoTitleChief Operating Officer CRSPCompensation$2,325,034% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$4,659,559,211Data date2023-06LocationWebsite
- Pamela Stoyanoff, Methodist Health SystemTitlePresident and Chief Operating Officer ,Compensation$2,266,623% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.2%Revenue$1,918,663,778Data date2023-09LocationWebsite
- Vamsi Chadalavada, ISO New EnglandTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$2,205,856% Org revenue0.9%% Org comp1.6%Revenue$235,600,056Data date2023-12LocationWebsite
- Erin Asprec, Memorial Hermann Health SystemTitleEvp, Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$2,187,342% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$7,581,409,425Data date2023-06LocationWebsite
- James Benedict, Highmark Health GroupTitleDirector and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$2,171,632% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$5,213,963,153Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Audrey Murphy, Hackensack Meridian Health -subordinatesTitleExecutive Vice President , Chief Legal OfficerCompensation$2,147,646% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$6,674,422,433Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Wilhelmina M. Manzano, NewYork Presbyterian HospitalTitleBoard MemberCompensation$2,123,649% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.0%Revenue$10,254,512,111Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- David L. Reich, Mount Sinai HospitalTitleChief Clinical Officer and President of the Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai QueensCompensation$2,105,015% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$3,709,594,465Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Edward Sim, Catholic Health InitiativesTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - St Anthony Hospital / Ef Executive Officer - St Anthony HospitalCompensation$2,064,188% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp0.2%Revenue$2,634,498,679Data date2023-06LocationWebsite
- Michelle Janney, Indiana University HealthTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$2,048,091% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$4,969,270,261Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Phillip Okala, University of PennsylvaniaTitlePast Chief Operating Officer , Uphs / Chief Operating Officer Philadelphia Operations / Senior Vice President Business Development Uphs / Senior Vice President Uphs Business Development / Senior Vice President Business DevelopmentCompensation$1,997,253% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.0%Revenue$9,925,251,000Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
- Peacock William, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Group ReturnTitleDirector , Chief Operating Officer , President - Kma / Director - CC Fla Reg HS , Chief Operating Officer - CCF / Director , Chief Operating Officer - CCF , President - Kma , Lrbi / Trustee , Chief of Operations - CCF / Director and Chief of Operations / Chief of Operations - CCFCompensation$1,991,299% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.0%Revenue$13,520,304,842Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Peacock William, Cleveland ClinicTitleChief of OperationsCompensation$1,991,299% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.0%Revenue$7,583,607,049Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Dane Peterson, Emory UniversityTitleInterim Chief Executive Officer - Ehc / President Chief Operating Officer - Ehc / President and Chief Operating Officer - Ehc / Chief Operating Officer - Ehc / Chief Executive Officer - Emory Hospital MidtownCompensation$1,974,793% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$6,307,404,920Data date2023-08LocationWebsite
- Michael W Gough, Norton HealthcareTitleFoundation Board / Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer / Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer / Executive Vice President and Chief Finance Officer / System Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer / Sys Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer and TreasurerCompensation$1,967,687% Org revenue0.3%% Org comp0.8%Revenue$569,215,201Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Sim Edward, Centura HealthTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$1,966,876% Org revenue0.4%% Org comp0.7%Revenue$527,619,633Data date2022-06LocationWebsite
- Kristina Alimard, University of Virginia Investment Management CompanyTitleChief Operating OfficerCompensation$1,932,873% Org revenue0.5%% Org comp7.6%Revenue$355,289,212Data date2023-06LocationWebsite
- Rebecca Kuhn, Banner HealthTitleChief Operating Officer / Executive Vice President , Community Delivery / Executive Vice President , Community Development / President - Az East RegionCompensation$1,881,846% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.0%Revenue$8,495,325,836Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Karen Strauss, Promedica Health SystemTitleChief Administration Officer / Chief Operating Officer / Chief Marketing , Communications , Strategic Planning and Human Resource Officer , / Chief Strategy , Marketing , Comm , Human Resources Off. / Chief Marketing , Strategy , and Comm Officer / Chief Marketing , Communications , Strategic Planning and Human Resource Officer / Chief Marketing , Strategy , and Comm.Compensation$1,827,121% Org revenue0.5%% Org comp1.8%Revenue$357,359,759Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- John Porter, WellSpan HealthTitleFormer Chief Operating Officer / Executive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$1,826,703% Org revenue0.3%% Org comp0.5%Revenue$593,155,549Data date2021-06LocationWebsite
- Jessie T Shepherd, Gwinnett Hospital SystemTitleExecutive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$1,823,315% Org revenue0.2%% Org comp0.5%
- Donald Remy, National Collegiate Athletic AssociationTitleChief Operating OfficerCompensation$1,761,612% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp2.0%Revenue$1,255,174,694Data date2021-08LocationWebsite
- Patrick Falvey, Baptist Healthcare SystemTitleSystem Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$1,703,438% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.1%Revenue$3,692,771,906Data date2023-08LocationWebsite
- Jeffrey Drop, CHI LakeWood HealthTitleBoard Member and Senior Vice President - Operations - Chief Executive OfficerCompensation$1,660,666% Org revenue10.3%% Org comp16.5%Revenue$16,097,214Data date2020-06LocationWebsite
- John Rodgers, Independent Health AssociationTitleExecutive Vice President , Chief Operating OfficerCompensation$1,535,400% Org revenue0.1%% Org comp1.8%Revenue$1,572,271,176Data date2022-12LocationWebsite
- Cheryl A Moore, New York Genome CenterTitlePresident and Chief Operating Officer - Eff 1 and 11 and 16Compensation$646,874% Org revenue1.0%% Org comp2.2%Revenue$67,901,686Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
- Gostout Bobbie S, Mayo Clinic Group ReturnTitleDirector and Vice President Operations and President MCHS and Former Officer / Director and Vice Chair and Vice President Operations and Interim Reg Vice President - Semn / Director and Vice Chair and Vice President Operations / Director and Vice President Operations and Vice ChairCompensation$438,241% Org revenue0.0%% Org comp0.0%Revenue$12,568,376,619Data date2021-12LocationWebsite
