CEO Salaries Surge in 2026 NFP Salary Survey – But Sector Differences Matter for Pay Negotiations

The 2026 Pro Bono Australia Salary Survey reveals a significant increase in remuneration for Chief Executive Officers across the not-for-profit sector. This highlights the growing value placed on experienced leadership during a period of continuing operational complexity and workforce challenges.

The survey showed the median CEO base salaries in the not-for-profit sector rose by 9 per cent between 2025 and 2026. Total remuneration (including incentives) increased by 11 per cent overall, with considerably higher growth in the upper quartile, signifying that organisations are investing more heavily in attracting and retaining senior executive talent. This data also demonstrates that the not-for-profit sector is not falling behind the wider market’s strong increases in senior executive salaries.  

However, one of the most important findings of the report is that CEO salary movements vary dramatically between sectors. While headline figures suggest strong growth, the reality is far more nuanced. For example, average CEO remuneration showed substantial increases in some sectors, smaller movements in others and a few sectors even saw decreases over the previous year’s figures. Variabilities in salary increases were reflected across all the 18 sectors examined in the survey and do not always tally with preconceived notions of high renumeration sectors. 

These variations demonstrate why organisations and executives should avoid relying on overall averages when assessing remuneration. Factors such as sector, operating budget, employee numbers, location and tax status all have a significant impact on salary benchmarks. A CEO leading a large disability service provider, for example, operates in a very different remuneration market to a CEO of a small education-focused organisation.

The data also indicates that renumeration might be a significant factor in driving high performing executives to or from particular sectors within the wider not-for-profit arena. 

Anyone preparing for salary negotiations (regardless of whether they’re seeking a new position, reviewing an existing contract, or advising a board on executive remuneration) needs benchmarks that closely match the relevant size, budget and operating environment of their organisation. Relying on headline market figures will not serve anyone well.