Compensation Study

The INN Member Compensation Study benchmarks salary and benefits data for jobs at newsrooms across the INN Network.

The 2026 study includes data from 111 participating news organizations and provides compensation benchmarks for 21 newsroom, leadership, development and business roles. Compensation data can be compared by organization size, operating budget and scope of coverage, helping INN members understand how pay varies across different types of nonprofit news organizations. 

The study includes data for the following 21 jobs: Executive Director/CEO, COO/Director of Operations, Chief Financial Officer, Editor-in-Chief/Executive Editor, Development Director/Chief Development Officer, Major Gifts Officer, Digital Producer, Managing Editor, Engagement Editor, Editor, Beat Reporter, Reporter, Data Journalist, Visual Journalist, Membership Manager, Intern, Audience Manager, Communications Manager, Producer, Product Manager and Project Manager.

The 2026 study also examines benefits and workplace practices including paid time off, health insurance, parental leave, retirement plans, disability and life insurance, work-from-home policies and education assistance. New this year, the study includes data on freelance and independent contractor practices. 

The survey was conducted by Pearl Meyer, a nationally recognized compensation and leadership advisory firm. Pearl Meyer maintains the confidentiality of submitted information and reports survey data only in aggregate. 

Study Highlights

  • $90,593: Average base salary for a Reporter.
  • $145,789: Average base salary for an Executive Director/CEO. 
  • 67.6%: Percentage of organizations offering a defined retirement contribution plan. 
  • 67.6%: Percentage of organizations offering health insurance. 
  • 97.3%: Percentage of organizations offering a work-from-home option. 
  • 76.6%: Percentage of organizations that currently have freelance workers or independent contractors. 
  • 69%: Percentage of respondents that compensate freelancers on a per-article or per-story basis. 

Cost:

  • Members that participated in the compensation study: Free
  • Budgets under $50,000: $75
  • Budgets $50,000 to $249,999: $250
  • Budgets $250,000 to $499,999: $350
  • Budgets $500,000 to $1,999,999: $450
  • Budget $2,000,000 and up: $550
  • Non-members: $1,000

To purchase this study, please visit the INN shop.

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