Executive Compensation at NPR

NPR (National Public Radio) is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization that serves as a national syndicator to about 800 public radio stations through its member stations. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NPR strives to keep the public informed of events, ideas, and cultures through its programming.

In 2018, NPR raised about $250 million, primarily from program services  and contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses totaled $235 million (not including $10 million in depreciation) with the largest expense being compensation. 1,283 employees were compensated $144 million, which equates to an average compensation of $112,000. However, only 492 employees (38% of total employees) received more than $100,000.

The 30 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:

• $665,935:  Jarl Mohn, President and CEO
• $509.680:  Steven A Inskeep, Senior Host, Morning Edition
• $479,578:  Scott Simon, Senior Host, Weekend Edition
• $470,056:  Jonathan Hart, CLO, GC, Secretary
• $455,109:  Robert Siegel, Senior Host, ATC
• $444,919:  Loren A Mayor, COO, SVP
• $429,280:  Peter Sagal, Host WWD/TM
• $427,809:  Michael Oreskes, SVP, News Editor (to 11/1/17)
• $402,493:  Thomas Hjelm, Chief Digital Officer
• $386,659:  Deborah A Cowan, CFO and Treasurer
• $360,163:  Melissa Block, Special Correspondent and Host
• $311,988:  Stanley M Garrison, VP, Tech Ops and Broadcasting Engineering
• $310,636:  Christopher Turkin, VP, News Programming and Operations
• $308,155:  Stephanie Witte, Chief Development Officer
• $300,140:  Anya Grundmann, VP, Programming and Audience
• $297,371:  Margaret Goldwaite, Chief Marketing Officer
• $295,766:  Marjorie Powell, VP, HR (to 1/11/18)
• $284,617:  Michael R Riskin, VP, Policy and Representation
• $269,050:  Michael F Beach, VP, Distribution
• $266,133:  Gemma Hooley, VP Member Partnership
• $261,684:  Michael Lutzky, VP Business Development
• $248,707:  Keith M Woods, VP, Diversity in News and Ops
• $238,608:  Michelle M Shanahan, Asst Secretary
• $225,195:  Sarah Gilbert, Acting VP, News Programming and Operations
• $210,690:  Joel Sucherman, VP New Platform Partnerships
• $192,869:  Elizabeth G Land, Assistant Treasurer
• $180,333:  Stacey Foxwell, VP, Operations
• $159,337:  Emily Littleton, VP, Communications
• $145,114:  Mathew Myers, VP, Branding and Communications
• $106,777:  Zachary J Brand, VP, Digital Media (to 4/30/16; severance)

The 30 most highly compensated employees received $9 million, or an average of $300,000.  If these employees and their respective compensations were excluded from the total, then 1,253 employees received $135 million in compensation, which equates to an average compensation of $108,000.

17 of the 30 (57%) most highly compensated employees are male while 13 (43%) are female.

55 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five most highly compensated listed below:

• $3,755,697:  Whyy, Inc. of Philadelphia, PA for acquired programs
• $2,295,350:  WBUR of New York, NY for acquired programs
• $1,609,022:  TED Conferences LLC of New York, NY for acquired programs
• $1,284,246:  C & W Facility Services, Inc. of Chicago, IL for janitorial services
• $  943,457:  Admiral Security Services of Baltimore, MD for security services

To read the IRS Form 990 (2017 for the year ending September 30, 2018), click here.

For an update, click on Executive Compensation at NPR (2020)