THE EXPLORATORIUM IS A PUBLIC LEARNING LABORATORY EXPLORING THE WORLD THROUGH SCIENCE, ART, AND HUMAN PERCEPTION. OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE INQUIRY-BASED EXPERIENCES THAT TRANSFORM LEARNING WORLDWIDE.
Executive compensation, broken down
Form 990 · Part VII & Schedule J · 10 reported individuals · Filing year 2023
Percentile bands compare each position's total pay with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in California.
- Base
- $581k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $3k
- Benefits
- $9k
- Base
- $276k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $68k
- Benefits
- —
- Base
- $314k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $440
- Benefits
- $1k
- Base
- $286k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $409
- Benefits
- $23k
- Base
- $257k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $364
- Benefits
- $10k
- Base
- $216k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $306
- Benefits
- $11k
- Base
- $215k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $309
- Benefits
- $6k
- Base
- $209k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $301
- Benefits
- $19k
- Base
- $183k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $261
- Benefits
- $20k
- Base
- $181k
- Bonus
- —
- Other
- $257
- Benefits
- $10k
| Position | Base | Bonus | Other | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Executive Director Above 90th percentile | $581k | — | $3k | $9k | $609k $663k |
Chief Operating Ofc. (thru 9/22/23) Key Employee Above 90th percentile | $276k | — | $68k | — | $355k $387k |
Chief Learning Officer Key Employee Above 90th percentile | $314k | — | $440 | $1k | $331k $361k |
Chief Financial & Operating Officer 75th to 90th percentile | $286k | — | $409 | $23k | $324k $353k |
Chief Advancement Officer Key Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $257k | — | $364 | $10k | $281k $306k |
Chief Brand Officer Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $216k | — | $306 | $11k | $238k $259k |
Chief Experience Officer Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $215k | — | $309 | $6k | $232k $253k |
Chief People Officer Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $209k | — | $301 | $19k | $232k $253k |
Chief Creative Officer Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $183k | — | $261 | $20k | $212k $231k |
Chief Strategy Officer Highest Compensated Employee 75th to 90th percentile | $181k | — | $257 | $10k | $200k $218k |
Teal figures restate each filed amount in 2026 dollars.
Estimated with San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Plus 40 unpaid individuals.
Top pay as a share of expenses
In 2023, the highest total compensation at THE EXPLORATORIUM equaled 0.9% 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 18%
from 2022
From $517k in 2022 to $609k in 2023.
Estimated with San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA metro-area CPI-U, restating filed pay into April 2026 dollars. A restatement of past pay, not current or projected pay.
Chief Executive Officer pay rose 18% from 2022 to 2023, while revenue rose 9%.
- Key Employee pay rose 11% from 2022 to 2023.
- Chief Financial Officer pay fell 6% 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 THE EXPLORATORIUM
What does the Chief Executive Officer of THE EXPLORATORIUM earn?
In 2023, the Chief Executive Officer of THE EXPLORATORIUM received $609,010 in total compensation. This pay is in the top 10% for Chief Executive Officer roles among Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in California: at least 9 in 10 comparable filings report less. Based on IRS Form 990 data.
How does Chief Executive Officer pay at THE EXPLORATORIUM compare with similar nonprofits?
Compared with the same role at Arts, Culture & Humanities organizations in California, the 2023 pay of the Chief Executive Officer at THE EXPLORATORIUM falls in the top 10%. In 2023, the highest total compensation at THE EXPLORATORIUM equaled 0.9% of the organization's total expenses. The median for arts, culture & humanities organizations is 11%.
What are THE EXPLORATORIUM's revenue and expenses?
In 2023, THE EXPLORATORIUM reported $66.6M in total revenue and $66M in total expenses on its IRS Form 990.
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