Nonprofit Social Service Directors

Salaries in nonprofit work are typically lower than those paid for comparable work in the for-profit sector. In addition, salaries in the nonprofit sector vary tremendously depending on the size, location, and purpose of the organization. Large, high-profile nonprofits with specialized staff and budgets in the millions of dollars, for example, may pay directors well over $100,000, but six-figure salaries are still the exception in this field. According to PayScale.com, the average annual income in January 2025 for social service directors was $63,228. The lowest paid directors earned $45,000 and highest paid directors earned $93,000 or more.

Social and community service managers earned a median salary of $77,030, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $48,880, and the top paid 10 percent earned more than $127,550. The DOL reports the following average salaries by employer:

• local government agencies: $101,440
• grantmaking and giving services organizations: $100,610
• state government agencies: $86,700
• social advocacy organizations: $85,750
• individual and family services organizations: $76,380
• community food and housing, and emergency and other relief services organizations: $75,250

It is important to keep in mind that the top director job is an advanced position. Those just starting out in the field will earn much less than CEOs. People in this field, however, find that they have the reward of emotional satisfaction not found in every job.

Nonprofit organizations often offer benefits packages that can't be beat. In most agencies, employees can expect liberal annual paid vacation days, generous sick leave, health and hospitalization insurance, retirement plans, and good personnel practices.