The Center educates students and is an organization that uses sound interdisciplinary research and application in the humane sciences that integrates theory and practice to develop insights and tools that can sustainably advance a free, prosperous, and civil society.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 12 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Social Science organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $254k
- Bonus
- $250k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $33k
- Base
- $205k
- Bonus
- $130k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $27k
- Base
- $226k
- Bonus
- $90k
- Other
- $18
- Benefits
- $20k
- Base
- $211k
- Bonus
- $65k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $27k
- Base
- $203k
- Bonus
- $60k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $11k
- Base
- $193k
- Bonus
- $40k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $16k
- Base
- $86k
- Bonus
- $161k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $121
- Base
- $221k
- Bonus
- $15k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $792
- Base
- $148k
- Bonus
- $47k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $21k
- Base
- $155k
- Bonus
- $37k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $22k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Director Above 90th percentile | $254k | $250k | — | $33k | $537k $588k |
Senior Director of Development Above 90th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $205k | $130k | — | $27k | $362k $397k |
Senior Research Fellow Highest Compensated Employee Above 90th percentile | $226k | $90k | $18 | $20k | $336k $368k |
VP of Policy Research Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $211k | $65k | — | $27k | $302k $332k |
Secretary & VP of Operations Vice President Above 90th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $203k | $60k | — | $11k | $274k $301k |
Director of Innovation and Governance Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $193k | $40k | — | $16k | $249k $273k |
Director/ VP Academic & Student Programs Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $86k | $161k | — | $121 | $247k $271k |
Senior Research Fellow Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $221k | $15k | — | $792 | $237k $259k |
Treasurer & CFO Median to 75th percentile | $148k | $47k | — | $21k | $216k $237k |
Executive Director Median to 75th percentile | $155k | $37k | — | $22k | $214k $235k |
Chairman Board Chair 75th to 90th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | — | — | — | — | $133k $146k |
Director Board Member Median to 75th percentile | — | — | — | — | $96k $106k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into May 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 9 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at Mercatus Center Inc equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for social science organizations is 12%.
Based on 435 social science 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.
Held steady
from 2022
From $536k in 2022 to $537k in 2023.
Estimated with Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 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 held roughly steady from 2022 to 2023, while revenue fell 17%.
- Chief Development Officer pay rose 3% from 2022 to 2023.
- Highest Compensated Employee pay rose 4% 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 Mercatus Center Inc
What does the Chief Executive Officer of Mercatus Center Inc earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of Mercatus Center Inc received $536,530 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Social Science organizations nationwide: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at Mercatus Center Inc compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Social Science organizations nationwide, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at Mercatus Center Inc falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at Mercatus Center Inc equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for social science organizations is 12%.
What are Mercatus Center Inc's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, Mercatus Center Inc reported $39.3M in total revenue and $44.8M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
Compare any role, sector, or revenue band
Build your own benchmark from millions of reported positions.
Learn More About Nonprofit Compensation
Guides to help you understand and use this data
Nonprofit CFO Salary
What nonprofit CFOs earn, what drives the number, and how to use public compensation data in a job search or negotiation.
Read moreNonprofit COO Salary
What nonprofit COOs earn, what drives the number, and how to use public compensation data in a job search or board decision.
Read moreNonprofit Executive Director Salary
What nonprofit executive directors earn, what drives the number, and how to use public compensation data whether you are a candidate, a current ED, or a board member.
Read more