The ASPCA CEO salary is a frequently searched figure because the organization is one of the best-known animal welfare nonprofits in the United States. The current president and CEO is Matt Bershadker, who has led the organization since 2001. The latest publicly available 2024 IRS filing provides several compensation figures, and the number you see can differ depending on whether you mean reportable compensation, salary, or total compensation.
ASPCA CEO salary and total compensation
For 2024, the ASPCA’s Form 990 lists Matt Bershadker as president and chief executive officer. His reported compensation in Form 990 Part VII was $1,113,870. Schedule J provides a more detailed breakdown and reports $907,423 in base compensation, plus $182,205 in retirement and other deferred compensation and $24,242 in nontaxable benefits, producing $1,113,870 in the relevant compensation total.
A separate Schedule J figure of $1,226,402 appears when deferred compensation reported from a prior year is included in the broader calculation. That distinction explains why different websites may publish different numbers for the same executive and year.
| Compensation measure | 2024 amount | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Base compensation | $907,423 | Salary and other base W-2/1099 compensation |
| Part VII reported compensation | $1,113,870 | Compensation reported for the executive on Form 990 |
| Schedule J broader total | $1,226,402 | Includes an additional deferred-compensation component |
| ASPCA total income | $427.6 million | Organization-wide 2024 income |
For someone researching the ASPCA CEO salary, the key point is that $907,423 is the clearest figure for base compensation, while $1,113,870 is the reported compensation figure most commonly used when discussing the executive’s 2024 pay.
Who is the ASPCA CEO?
Matt Bershadker is the ASPCA’s president and CEO. According to the organization, he joined the ASPCA in 2001 and held several senior positions before becoming its chief executive.
His responsibilities extend across the organization’s animal welfare programs, fundraising, public policy, veterinary initiatives, disaster response and other national activities. The ASPCA says Bershadker has overseen programs including community veterinary clinics and the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina.
His long tenure is relevant when looking at compensation because executive pay at a large nonprofit is generally tied to the scope and responsibilities of the position rather than simply the organization’s charitable mission.
How has the ASPCA CEO salary changed?
Looking at multiple Form 990 filings provides more context than focusing on one year. Reportable compensation for Bershadker has risen over the long term, although the exact amount can vary because nonprofit filings separate current compensation from deferred and other forms of compensation.
Recent reported figures include:
- 2020: $856,673
- 2021: $881,785
- 2022: $1,004,150
- 2023: $1,085,129
- 2024: $1,113,870
These figures are reported compensation, not necessarily the same thing as annual base salary. They should therefore not be treated as a simple salary history.
💡 Pro Tip
When comparing nonprofit CEO pay, use the same compensation category and tax year for every organization. Mixing base salary from one nonprofit with total reportable compensation from another can create a misleading comparison.
Why nonprofit CEO compensation can be high
Large nonprofits can operate programs, facilities and fundraising operations on a national scale. Their chief executives may oversee hundreds or thousands of employees, major budgets, regulatory obligations and relationships with donors, government agencies and partner organizations.
The ASPCA reported $427,622,578 in total income for 2024. Its annual report also listed $289,776,988 in program expenses, $79,797,126 in fundraising expenses and $18,922,807 in administrative expenses.
The organization says its executive compensation process uses an outside nonprofit compensation consultant and considers comparable organizations and IRS guidelines for reasonable compensation. It also states that the combined average total compensation of its executive leadership team and CEO over the last three years represented 1.18% of total operating expenses.
Those statements describe the organization’s approach; they do not by themselves establish whether a particular salary is appropriate. Readers can review the underlying Form 990 and audited financial statements for the financial details.
How to read the ASPCA’s Form 990
The IRS Form 990 is the most useful primary document for researching executive compensation at a tax-exempt nonprofit.
Part VII identifies officers, directors, trustees and key employees and reports compensation figures. Schedule J provides additional information about certain compensation arrangements, including base compensation, bonuses, deferred compensation and benefits.
This matters because a headline such as “ASPCA CEO salary” may refer to different numbers. A news story may use Part VII compensation, a salary database may display a different field, and an article focused on compensation packages may include deferred amounts.
For an accurate comparison, check the filing year, executive’s title and exact line or schedule used.
What does the ASPCA spend its money on?
Executive compensation is only one part of the organization’s finances. The ASPCA’s 2024 financial statements show that its largest major program category was Shelter and Veterinary Services, which accounted for $141,721,060 in expenses. Public Education and Communications accounted for $85,615,804, while Policy, Response and Engagement accounted for $62,440,124.
These figures help put the ASPCA CEO salary into the broader financial picture. A nonprofit’s revenue and spending cannot be understood from its CEO compensation alone.
The ASPCA also publishes its annual reports, financial statements and Form 990 filings, allowing readers to examine compensation alongside program, fundraising and administrative expenses.
📌 Key Takeaway
The clearest 2024 figures are $907,423 in base compensation and $1,113,870 in reported compensation for Matt Bershadker. A broader Schedule J calculation reaches $1,226,402 because it includes an additional deferred-compensation component. Checking the underlying IRS filing is the best way to understand which number a source is using.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ASPCA CEO salary?
For 2024, Matt Bershadker’s base compensation was $907,423 according to the ASPCA’s Schedule J filing. His Form 990 reported compensation was $1,113,870.
Who is the current ASPCA CEO?
Matt Bershadker is the current ASPCA president and CEO. The ASPCA says he joined the organization in 2001 and has served as its chief executive for more than a decade.
How much did the ASPCA CEO make in 2024?
The 2024 Form 990 reports $1,113,870 in compensation. Schedule J separately shows $907,423 in base compensation and provides additional compensation details.
Why do different websites show different ASPCA CEO salary figures?
Sources may use different parts of Form 990. Base compensation, Part VII reportable compensation and broader Schedule J totals are not interchangeable.
Where can I verify ASPCA executive pay?
The ASPCA publishes its IRS Form 990 and audited financial statements. These primary documents provide the most reliable way to verify compensation for a particular tax year.
The ASPCA CEO salary is best understood through the nonprofit’s own financial filings rather than a single headline number. For 2024, the filings distinguish between base compensation, reported compensation and broader deferred-compensation figures, giving readers a clearer picture of how the executive pay package was reported.
