OPERA THEATRE'S MISSION IS TO SHAPE A VIBRANT FUTURE FOR OPERA BY CONNECTING, INSPIRING, AND ENTERTAINING OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH THE POWER AND BEAUTY OF THE ART FORM; TO FOSTER THE NEXT GENERATION BY EMPOWERING A DIVERSE GROUP OF ARTISTS, ARTISANS, AND ADMINISTRATORS AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL; AND TO MAKE OPERA ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE THROUGH INNOVATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE STORYTELLING THAT REFLECTS, ENGAGES, AND STRENGTHENS THE ST. LOUIS COMMUNITY AND ATTRACTS NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 7 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $265k
- Bonus
- $52k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $766
- Base
- $168k
- Bonus
- $35k
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $29k
- Base
- $139k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $30k
- Base
- $163k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- —
- Benefits
- $5k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General Director Director (Operational) Above 90th percentile | $265k | $52k | — | $766 | $331k $361k |
Managing Director of Advancement Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $168k | $35k | — | $29k | $242k $264k |
Director of Production and Operations Median to 75th percentile | $139k | — | — | $30k | $177k $193k |
Artistic Director Highest Compensated Employee Median to 75th percentile | $163k | — | — | $5k | $175k $191k |
Director of Administration and Finance Median to 75th percentile | — | — | — | — | $133k $145k |
Director of Marketing and Public Relations Director (Operational) Median to 75th percentile | — | — | — | — | $122k $133k |
Director of Development 25th percentile to median | — | — | — | — | $118k $129k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with St. Louis, MO-IL metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 51 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis equaled 2% 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 14%
from 2022
From $291k in 2022 to $331k in 2023.
Estimated with St. Louis, MO-IL metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Director (Operational) pay rose 14% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue fell 5%.
- Key Employee pay rose 20% from 2022 to 2023.
- Highest Compensated Employee pay fell 13% 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 Opera Theatre of Saint Louis
What does the Director (Operational) of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis earn?
In 2023, the Director (Operational) of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis received $330,885 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Director (Operational) roles among Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations nationwide: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Director (Operational) pay at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations nationwide, the 2023 pay of the Director (Operational) at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at Opera Theatre of Saint Louis equaled 2% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
What are Opera Theatre of Saint Louis's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis reported $11.3M in total revenue and $13.7M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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