Insights
Research Report
November 13, 2018
2018 Director Compensation Report
Research Report | By Alexa Kierzkowski
FW Cook’s 2018 Director Compensation Report studies non-employee director compensation at 300 companies of various sizes and industries to analyze market practices in pay levels and program structure. Median pay key findings include:
- Total compensation amounts increased by 0.5% at the median of the total sample versus last year’s study, reflecting generally stable compensation levels across size sectors.
- Large-cap companies in our study pay directors $275,000 at the median, and experienced the smallest increase in median total pay this year of 0.2%, following a 5.4% increase the previous year.
- This year, among mid-cap companies, median total pay of $205,000 increased by 1.9%, which increased from last year’s growth of 0.8%.
- Median total pay at small-cap companies grew 1.2% to $152,000, following a 3.7% increase the prior year.
- Technology continues to be the highest-paying sector in our study, while Financial Services continues to be the lowest-paying sector.
Alexa Kierzkowski
Managing Director
Alexa Kierzkowski joined the firm in 2004. She consults across many industries and stages of growth, from pre-IPO to Fortune 500 companies. She has advisory experience in areas including total compensation reviews, ongoing program management, corporate transactions, director compensation, short- and long-term incentive design, and pay-for-performance assessment.