Full Compensation Report
PDF · 88 pages
The complete 2026 study — every table, chart, and benchmark across all 14 roles.
2026 Missions Compensation Report — Volume 9
The largest and most comprehensive compensation study ever conducted for the North American missions sector.
Stop guessing. Start benchmarking.
Made possible by
- 110
- Participating organizations
- 400+
- Senior leadership positions
- 14
- Leadership roles
- 88
- Pages of analysis
Overview
What the study covers
The largest edition of the Missio Nexus Mission Organization Senior Leader Compensation Study to date: 110 participating organizations, up 20 percent from 92 in 2025, and compensation entries for more than 400 senior leaders across a range of agency types, revenue levels and regions.
Median salaries by agency type, revenue band and region, through to retirement contributions, housing allowances and spousal involvement — the ministry-specific benchmark that denominational averages and last year’s number cannot give you.
Who it’s for
- Boards setting CEO pay
- Senior leaders benchmarking their own package
- CFOs building a benefits strategy
At a glance
The CEO recap in one view
The headline numbers, drawn from 110 participating organizations across the missions sector.
- $127,983
- Average CEO salary
- $120,000
- Median CEO salary
- 45%
- Of CEO salaries are fully funded by the organizational budget
- 68%
- Of CEOs saw a salary increase year-over-year, with a median increase of 12%
CEO salary is consistently determined by three key factors
- 82%
- Use peer organization comparisons
- 66%
- Conduct performance reviews
- 54%
- Follow a written compensation policy
What you get
Report and resources
Everything included with the report.
Executive Summary
PDF · 6 pages
The headline findings and key takeaways, formatted for board and leadership review.
CEO Compensation Deep Dive
PDF · White paper
Median pay, full packages, tenure patterns, and percentile distributions for chief executives.
Female CEO & Gender Analysis
PDF · White paper
New for 2026 — female CEO compensation and gender representation across leadership teams.
Benefits & Funding Models
PDF · White paper
Housing allowances, retirement, SECA reimbursement, support-raising, and hybrid funding.
Methodology & Participants
PDF · 4 pages
How the study was conducted, definitions, and the full participant roster.
Data Highlights Slide Deck
Slides · PowerPoint
Ready-to-present slides of key charts and stats for your board or leadership meeting.
Audio Overview
Audio · MP3
A narrated walkthrough of the report’s biggest findings — listen on the go.
Key Findings Infographic
Graphic · High-res image
The at-a-glance visual summary — perfect for sharing internally or on social.
All nine resources
Get your copy
3 ways to access the report
Participants
Free
Organizations that took part in the study receive the full report at no cost.
Get your free copyMissio Nexus members
$200
The member rate, for member organizations that did not take part in the study.
Buy for $200Sponsored by
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Mission:Leadership is a faith-based executive recruiting firm focused squarely on serving nonprofit ministries, Kingdom-oriented businesses, churches and academic institutions. Whatever your need, we know great Christian leaders throughout the U.S. and across the globe and how to connect you to them.