Executive Compensation at NPR (2023)
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 2023, NPR raised $302 million (compared to $306 million in 2022), primarily from program services and contributions, gifts, and grants. Expenses totaled $308 million (not including $8 million in depreciation) with the largest expense being compensation. 1,508 employees were compensated $194 million, which equates to an average compensation of $129,000. However, only 715 employees (47% of total employees) received more than $100,000.
The 26 most highly compensated employees were reported to be:
- $590,252: John Lansing, President and CEO
- $532,188: Steven A Inskeep, Host, Morning Edition and Up First
- $485,929: Michel Martin, Host, Morning Edition
- $478,478: Peter D Sagal, Host, WWDTM
- $452,377: Nancy C Barnes, SVP, News and Editorial
- $450,575: Scott Simon, Host, We and Up First
- $449,692: Rachel Martin, Host, Morning Edition
- $415,886 Michael Smith, Chief Marketing Officer
- $407,496: Anya Grundmann, SVP, Programming and Audio
- $395,068: Elizabeth Allen, Chief Legal Officer, /GC/Sec)
- $393,369: Deborah C Cowan, CFO and Treasurer
- $382,115 Jonathan D Hart, Former Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel (to 10/31/20)
- $377,525: Christopher T Nelson, VP, Technology Operations
- $362,644: Will Lee, COO (thru 8/23)
- $350,481: Keith M Woods, Chief Diversity Officer
- $343,353: Leora Hanser, Chief Development Officer
- $329,768: Gemma Hooley, SVP, Membership Partnership
- $325,751: Christopher A Turpin, VP, Special Projects and Innovation/Chief of Staff
- $308,728: Joel A Sucherman, Former VP, Audio Platform Strategy
- $307,444: Edith C Chapin, VP, News and Editorial
- $299,509: Michael F Beach, Former VP, Distribution
- $281,391: Selyn Hong, Chief People Officer
- $281,145: Stacey Foxwell, Former VP, Operations
- $269,333: Isabel Lara, Chief Communications Officer
- $238,896: Elisabeth G Lang, Assistant Treasurer
- $225,858: Emily M Littleton, Former VP, Corp Communications
The 26 most highly compensated employees received $10 million in compensation. 13 of the 26 most highly compensated employees are male while 13 of the 26 are female. Note: gender is not reported on the Form 990; determination was based based on name and google searches.
The most highly compensated employee was John Lansing, the President and CEO, who received $590,252 in 2023.
The 10 most highly compensated employees received $13 million in compensation from 2021-2023:
John Lansing: Total Compensation 2021-2023: $1.5 million
- 2023: $590,252
- 2022: $416,434
- 2021: $485,041
Steven A Innskeep: Total Compensation 2021-2023: $1.5 million
- 2023: $532,188
- 2022: $520,714
- 2021: $488,469
Michel Martin: Total Compensati0n 2021-2023: $1.5 million
- 2023: $485,929
- 2022: $412,942
- 2021: $395,829
Peter D Sagal: Total Compensation 2021-2023: $1,5 million
- 2023: $478,478
- 2022: $427,455
- 2021: $426,827
Nancy Barnes: Total Compensati0n 2021-2023: $1.3 million
- 2023: $452,377
- 2022: $393,981
- 2021: $464,657
Scott Simon: Total Compensation 2021-2023: $1.4 million
- 2023: $450,575
- 2022: $441,525
- 2021: $457,331
Rachel Martin: Total Compensati0n 2022-2023: $0.9 million
- 2023: $449,692
- 2022: $401,677
Michael Smith: Total Compensati0n 2021-2023: $1.1 million
- 2023: $415,886
- 2022: $416,208
- 2021: $258,544
Anya Grundmann: Total Compensati0n 2021-2023: $1.2 million
- 2023: $407,496
- 2022: $358,996
- 2021: $402,115
Elizabeth Allen: Total Compensati0n 2022-2023: $0.7 million
- 2023: $395,068
- 2022: $305,407
Severance payments totaled $334,337 to Jonathan Hart, a former officer.
92 independent contractors received more than $100,000 in compensation with the five (5) highest reported to be:
- $12 million: Whyy, Inc., of Philadelphia, PA for acquired programs
- $ 2 million: Perfect Sense dba Brightspot, of Reston, VA for software development/implementation
- $ 3 million: WAMU, of Washington, DC for acquired programs
- $ 3 million: WBUR Boston University, of Boston, MA for acquired programs
- $ 3 million: TED Conferences, LLC, of New York, NY for acquired programs
To read the IRS Form 990 (2022 for the year ending 9/30/2023), click here.
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
- NPR CEO Salary, A Closer Look at the $416,434 Compensation in a Non-Profit World - Eu Affairs
Paddock Post 
First, that is a matter of opinion. There are some donors who do not want to fund $400,00, $500,000, $600,000 plus salaries;
Second, this post addresses 2023, which includes government funding grants which only amounted to $40,000. The primary source of revenue in 2023 was program service revenue and contributions;
Third, news at the national level is not always factual and non partisan; it depends who is reporting the news.
Firstly, they are grossly underpaid compared to their peers in commercial media. Second, the government doesn’t find them any more. Third, the news side is generally factual at the National level and non-partisan. Individual stations do very right and left as I’ve seen in the last 30 years.
I just don’t see a problem with these numbers!
What a joke seeing those wages. Another liberal organization taking advantage of government funds they absolutely should be canceled until they can produce Fair and balance programming with no Government funding.
I suggest you read the post. Saying “those who are critical of NPR’s executive pay, it’s important to look at the big picture…” What exactly is the criticism? Reporting information that NPR submitted to the IRS is not criticism. You should know the difference between he truth and criticism. Try harder.