We believe in the life-changing, transformational, revelatory power of great art and opera. Lyric Opera of Chicago exists to provide a broad, deep, and relevant cultural service to the Chicago region and the nation, and to advance the development of the art form of opera by: - Producing and performing consistently thrilling, world-class opera, with a balanced repertoire that encompasses core classics, lesser-known masterpieces, and new works. - Creating a diverse, innovative, wide-ranging program of community engagement and education activities that reaches the widest possible public. - Developing exceptional emerging operatic talent.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 11 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $410k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $365k
- Benefits
- $28k
- Base
- $661k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $107k
- Benefits
- $22k
- Base
- $511k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $171k
- Benefits
- $19k
- Base
- $293k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $288
- Benefits
- $22k
- Base
- $220k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $55k
- Base
- $251k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $192
- Benefits
- $22k
- Base
- $222k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $357
- Benefits
- $24k
- Base
- $265k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $826
- Benefits
- $12k
- Base
- $246k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $17k
- Base
- $206k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $51
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $162k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- —
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asst Secretary, Cao, Deputy General Director/beg Nov 2023 Director (Operational) Above 90th percentilevs Arts, Culture & Humanities peers in Illinois | $410k | — | $365k | $28k | $823k $912k |
General Director, President & CEO Above 90th percentilevs Arts, Culture & Humanities peers in Illinois | $661k | — | $107k | $22k | $809k $896k |
Chief Operating Officer & Deputy General Director/until Oct 2023 Above 90th percentile | $511k | — | $171k | $19k | $720k $797k |
Asst Treasurer, Cfao/until Oct 2023, Cfoo/beg Nov 2023 75th to 90th percentilevs Arts, Culture & Humanities peers in Illinois | $293k | — | $288 | $22k | $326k $361k |
Master Carpenter Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $220k | — | — | $55k | $303k $336k |
Chief Artistic Administration Officer Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $251k | — | $192 | $22k | $287k $318k |
Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer/until Sep 2023 Board Vice President Above 90th percentile | $222k | — | $357 | $24k | $280k $310k |
Chorus Director & Head of Music Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $265k | — | $826 | $12k | $278k $308k |
Vice President for Principal Gifts Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $246k | — | $1k | $17k | $276k $306k |
Former Asst Treasurer/cfao Former Officer/director/trustee 75th to 90th percentile | $206k | — | $51 | — | $213k $236k |
Vice-chair & Music Director Executive Vice President 25th percentile to median | $162k | — | — | — | $162k $179k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 101 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at Lyric Opera of Chicago equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
Based on 17,098 arts, culture & humanities 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.
Up 7%
from 2022
From $767k in 2022 to $823k in 2023.
Estimated with Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay rose 6% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue fell 4%.
- Chief Operating Officer pay rose 51% from 2022 to 2023.
- Chief Financial Officer pay fell 33% from 2022 to 2023.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2022 and 2023.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about Lyric Opera of Chicago
What does the Director (Operational) of Lyric Opera of Chicago earn?
In 2023, the Director (Operational) of Lyric Opera of Chicago received $823,012 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Director (Operational) roles among Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in Illinois: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Director (Operational) pay at Lyric Opera of Chicago compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in Illinois, the 2023 pay of the Director (Operational) at Lyric Opera of Chicago falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at Lyric Opera of Chicago equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
What are Lyric Opera of Chicago's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, Lyric Opera of Chicago reported $57.1M in total revenue and $77.3M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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