Nonprofit Executive Jobs & Leadership in Queens, NY – 2026 Guide
Executive Salaries • Search Firms • New York City Market Intelligence
Queens anchors the nonprofit and public-service ecosystem of New York City’s most diverse borough.
With roughly 2.3 million residents, a median household income near $85,000, and more than half of residents speaking a non‑English language at home, Queens nonprofits are central to community health, housing, education, and immigrant support.[web:33][web:161][web:164]
For additional mission-driven roles across the country, explore the
ExecSearches.com Non-profit Jobs Center.
2026 Queens Market Sentiment
Talent Pressures & Cost of Living
Housing cost burdens affect more than half of households in Queens, forcing nonprofits to revisit compensation, hybrid work, and commuting support to attract and retain senior leaders.[web:161][web:156]
Public Health & Immigrant Communities
Higher-than-average rates of chronic disease, a relatively large uninsured population, and a high share of foreign-born residents make Queens a focal point for public health, safety-net care, and immigrant-serving organizations.[web:161][web:158][web:164]
Salary Benchmarks: Sources & Methodology
Queens ranges are directional benchmarks derived from NYC nonprofit executive compensation data and national reports, adjusted for Queens’ mix of hospital, human service, and citywide program organizations.[file:1][web:33]
A 2025 state-by-state executive director salary analysis based on Candid’s Form 990 data reports average ED base pay in New York at about $189,000, placing New York among the top-paying states and supporting Queens CEO bands in the $160,000–$210,000 range for sizable organizations.[web:50][web:33][web:127][web:139]
2026 Queens Executive Salary Benchmarks
Projected median total compensation examples for senior nonprofit leaders based in Queens and the broader New York City market, assuming full-time roles at established organizations with multi-million dollar budgets.
| High-Level Leadership Role | 2026 Projected Median (Queens / NYC) |
|---|---|
| Executive Director (ED) / CEO | $190,000–$225,000+ (large, established organizations)[web:46][web:52][web:55] |
| Chief Operating Officer (COO) | $165,000–$200,000+[web:47][web:49] |
| Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | $185,000–$240,000+ (complex finance/portfolio roles)[web:47][web:50][web:53] |
| Vice President of Advancement / Development | $150,000–$190,000+ in institutions with mature fundraising programs[web:48][web:51][web:57] |
| Vice President of Programs / Impact | $140,000–$180,000+, depending on portfolio size and direct service footprint in Queens neighborhoods[web:49][web:52] |
Queens Nonprofit CEO Pay Distribution (2026)
Directional benchmarks for nonprofit CEOs and Executive Directors based in Queens, adapted from New York City compensation data and modestly trended forward for 2026.[web:65][web:67][web:69]
- 25th percentile (smaller, community orgs): ≈ $120,000
- Median (50th percentile): ≈ $160,000
- 75th percentile (larger, complex orgs): ≈ $210,000
- 90th percentile (top-paying Queens/NYC roles, excluding mega-systems): ≈ $260,000+
Queens vs. Other NYC Boroughs
Compared with other New York City boroughs, Queens nonprofit CEO pay in 2026 is expected to trail Manhattan but be broadly comparable to Brooklyn, and generally ahead of typical ranges in the Bronx and Staten Island for similar-sized organizations.[web:65][web:69][web:79][web:83][web:86]
| Borough | Typical CEO/ED Band (2026, directional) | Snapshot |
|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | ≈ $200,000–$260,000 | Highest concentration of large, complex nonprofits and foundations.[web:65][web:52] |
| Queens | ≈ $160,000–$210,000 | Strong hospital, human services, and citywide program presence; slightly below Manhattan.[web:65][web:72] |
| Brooklyn | ≈ $155,000–$205,000 | Similar to Queens, with many mid–large human service and cultural orgs.[web:69][web:72] |
| Bronx | ≈ $140,000–$190,000 | Community and social-service heavy, fewer very large, high-paying institutions.[web:83][web:77] |
| Staten Island | ≈ $125,000–$175,000 | Smaller nonprofit market; lower average Executive Director pay.[web:79][web:86] |
💼 QUEENS LEADERSHIP SEARCH HUB
Access active 2026 leadership roles and regional resources:
🏙️ Local Impact: Key Queens Organizations
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Regional Search Specialists
Isaacson, Miller
National retained firm focused on mission-driven leadership across higher education, healthcare and academic medicine, human and social services, public policy, and civic institutions.[web:100][web:109][web:111][web:125]
Diversified Search Group (DSG)
Global firm with dedicated nonprofit/social-impact and healthcare practices, including DSG Healthcare and Grant Cooper, serving hospitals, academic medical centers, foundations, and education clients.[web:113][web:102][web:123][web:139]
Lindauer
Nonprofit specialist with deep capabilities in higher and K–12 education, health and academic medicine, arts and culture, social justice, associations, and foundations, including senior advancement roles.[web:114][web:118][web:124]
The Moran Company
Works exclusively with nonprofits, foundations, and associations, focusing on CEO/Executive Director, senior fundraising, and other key leadership searches nationwide.[web:105][web:115][web:119]
Cowen Partners
C‑suite search firm with a strong healthcare and nonprofit practice, recruiting CEOs, COOs, CFOs, and other senior leaders for hospitals, health systems, behavioral health providers, and NGOs.[web:97][web:120]
Furst Group
Healthcare and life-sciences specialist with a dedicated academic healthcare practice, recruiting CMO, COO, CEO, and other senior leaders for health systems, plans, and academic medical centers.[web:116][web:127][web:142][web:133]