THE MEMPHIS ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY IS BUILDING ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREAT ZOOS IN MEMPHIS. OUR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A NATURALISTIC AND ENRICHING SANCTUARY FOR OUR ANIMALS AND A CLEAN, FRIENDLY, ENTERTAINING, AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR OUR GUESTS.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 6 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $319k
- Bonus
- $16k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $10k
- Base
- $162k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $760
- Base
- $152k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $6k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President & CEO Above 90th percentile | $319k | $16k | — | $10k | $359k $392k |
Chief Financial Officer Median to 75th percentile | $162k | — | — | $760 | $170k $185k |
Chief Development Officer Median to 75th percentile | $152k | — | — | $6k | $165k $180k |
Chief Operating Officer Median to 75th percentile | — | — | — | — | $150k $163k |
Chief Zoological Officer Officer (Unspecified) | — | — | — | — | $148k $162k |
Chief Marketing Officer Officer (Unspecified) | — | — | — | — | $142k $155k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the South region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 22 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at Memphis Zoological Society 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.
Up 19%
from 2022
From $301k in 2022 to $359k in 2023.
Estimated with BLS CPI-U for the South region, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay rose 19% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue held roughly steady.
- Chief Financial Officer pay rose 4% from 2022 to 2023.
- Chief Development Officer pay rose 11% 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 Memphis Zoological Society
What does the Chief Executive Officer of Memphis Zoological Society earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of Memphis Zoological Society received $358,605 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Animal-Related organizations nationwide: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at Memphis Zoological Society compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at Memphis Zoological Society falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at Memphis Zoological Society equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
What are Memphis Zoological Society's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, Memphis Zoological Society reported $25.8M in total revenue and $29.3M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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