Shedd Aquarium's mission is to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. This is driven by the organization's vision of a world thriving with aquatic life sustained by people who love, understand and protect it.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 14 reported individuals · Filing year 2024
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Animal-Related organizations nationwide.
- Base
- $612k
- Bonus
- $238k
- Other
- $24k
- Benefits
- $22k
- Base
- $302k
- Bonus
- $73k
- Other
- $699
- Benefits
- $12k
- Base
- $307k
- Bonus
- $75k
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $1k
- Base
- $289k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $452
- Benefits
- $30k
- Base
- $250k
- Bonus
- $5k
- Other
- $565
- Benefits
- $21k
- Base
- $249k
- Bonus
- $10k
- Other
- $2k
- Benefits
- $15k
- Base
- $252k
- Bonus
- $8k
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $12k
- Base
- $220k
- Bonus
- $3k
- Other
- $319
- Benefits
- $28k
- Base
- $220k
- Bonus
- $3k
- Other
- $878
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $208k
- Bonus
- $7k
- Other
- $439
- Benefits
- $16k
- Base
- $182k
- Bonus
- $3k
- Other
- $717
- Benefits
- $23k
- Base
- $180k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $164
- Benefits
- $26k
- Base
- $177k
- Bonus
- $7k
- Other
- $1k
- Benefits
- $10k
- Base
- $150k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $130
- Benefits
- $16k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
President/ceo Above 90th percentilevs Animal-Related peers in Illinois | $612k | $238k | $24k | $22k | $966k $1M |
Chief Marketing and Experience Officer Key Employee Above 90th percentile | $302k | $73k | $699 | $12k | $426k $457k |
Chief Financial & Admin Officer Above 90th percentile | $307k | $75k | $1k | $1k | $423k $453k |
Chief Development Officer Above 90th percentile | $289k | — | $452 | $30k | $320k $343k |
Svp, Facilities and Security Senior Vice President Median to 75th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $250k | $5k | $565 | $21k | $292k $313k |
Svp, Human Resources Senior Vice President Median to 75th percentilevs all sectors nationwide | $249k | $10k | $2k | $15k | $290k $311k |
Chief Animal Conservation Officer Key Employee Above 90th percentile | $252k | $8k | $1k | $12k | $288k $308k |
Vp, Technology Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $220k | $3k | $319 | $28k | $264k $283k |
VP & General Counsel Vice President Above 90th percentile | $220k | $3k | $878 | $9k | $247k $264k |
Vp, Design and Exhibits Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $208k | $7k | $439 | $16k | $245k $262k |
Vp, Conservation Research Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $182k | $3k | $717 | $23k | $221k $236k |
Vp, Learning and Community Board Vice President 75th to 90th percentile | $180k | — | $164 | $26k | $217k $232k |
Vp, Guest Relations Board Vice President Median to 75th percentile | $177k | $7k | $1k | $10k | $207k $221k |
Svp, External Affairs & Marketing Senior Vice President 25th percentile to medianvs all sectors nationwide | $150k | — | $130 | $16k | $166k $178k |
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 47 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2024, the highest total compensation at SHEDD AQUARIUM 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 3%
from 2023
From $935k in 2023 to $966k in 2024.
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 3% from 2023 to 2024, while revenue rose 10%.
- Key Employee pay rose 18% from 2023 to 2024.
- Chief Financial Officer pay rose 16% from 2023 to 2024.
Pay for the position itself, not any one person. The officeholder may have changed between 2023 and 2024.
Among peers
Revenue and top compensation, plotted against similar organizations. This organization is highlighted in cyan.
Common questions about SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY
What does the Chief Executive Officer of SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY earn?
In 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY received $966,423 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Animal-Related organizations in Illinois: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Animal-Related organizations in Illinois, the 2024 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY falls in the top 10%. In 2024, the highest total compensation at SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY equaled 1% of the organization's total expenses. The median for animal-related organizations is 8%.
What are SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY's revenue and expenses?
In 2024, SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY reported $102M in total revenue and $72.8M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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