Mission: Connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. Vision: Be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife. Continued on Schedule O Houston Zoo, Inc. (HZI) strives to be a zoo that practices exemplary animal care, delivers an outstanding guest experience, creates a workplace that instills respect and teamwork, provides learning opportunities, promotes conservation awareness, and inspires community support.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 9 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $512k
- Bonus
- $105k
- Other
- $2k
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $290k
- Bonus
- $40k
- Other
- $2k
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $258k
- Bonus
- $33k
- Other
- $2k
- Benefits
- $11k
- Base
- $225k
- Bonus
- $33k
- Other
- $360
- Benefits
- $18k
- Base
- $213k
- Bonus
- $36k
- Other
- $360
- Benefits
- $15k
- Base
- $205k
- Bonus
- $28k
- Other
- $360
- Benefits
- $11k
- Base
- $172k
- Bonus
- $23k
- Other
- $360
- Benefits
- $26k
- Base
- $65k
- Bonus
- $112k
- Other
- $437
- Benefits
- $4k
- Base
- $173k
- Bonus
- $3k
- Other
- $240
- Benefits
- $1k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President & CEO Above 90th percentilevs Animal-Related peers in Texas | $512k | $105k | $2k | $9k | $641k $685k |
COO Above 90th percentile | $290k | $40k | $2k | $9k | $352k $376k |
CFO Above 90th percentile | $258k | $33k | $2k | $11k | $313k $334k |
VP Development Vice President Above 90th percentile | $225k | $33k | $360 | $18k | $287k $307k |
VP Human Resources Board Vice President Above 90th percentile | $213k | $36k | $360 | $15k | $272k $291k |
VP Marketing and Communications Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $205k | $28k | $360 | $11k | $245k $262k |
VP Animal Programs Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $172k | $23k | $360 | $26k | $230k $245k |
VP Conservation and Education Board Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $65k | $112k | $437 | $4k | $187k $200k |
Director of Finance 75th to 90th percentile | $173k | $3k | $240 | $1k | $185k $198k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 44 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at Houston Zoo Inc equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
Based on 3,692 animal-related organizations, each measured at its most recent filing year with reported expenses and compensation.
Funded by
Private foundations whose Form 990-PF Part XV grants matched this organization.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about Houston Zoo Inc
What does the Chief Executive Officer of Houston Zoo Inc earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of Houston Zoo Inc received $640,638 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Animal-Related organizations in Texas: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at Houston Zoo Inc compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Animal-Related organizations in Texas, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at Houston Zoo Inc falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at Houston Zoo Inc equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
What are Houston Zoo Inc's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, Houston Zoo Inc reported $82.5M in total revenue and $62.8M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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