Among the 25 highest-paid professional society CEOs, a few similarities stand out.

Of the 25 highest-paid CEOs tracked by CEO Update, 24 lead trade associations. And those trade group CEOs lead organizations that are remarkably similar.

This report lists the salaries of 627 CEOs at large trade and professional associations, those with revenue higher than $12 million. The information is gathered from IRS Form 990, the disclosure document filed by tax-exempt organizations, for fiscal years 2019 or 2020—the latest available.

This report lists the 200 highest-paid staffers in associations. The information is gathered from the IRS Form 990, the disclosure document filed by tax-exempt organizations, for fiscal years 2018 or 2019—the latest data available.

This report lists the salaries of 439 CEOs at small trade and professional associations, those with revenue between $2.5 million and $5 million.

This report lists the salaries of 463 CEOs at midsize trade and professional associations, those with revenue between $5 million and $12 million. The information is gathered from IRS Form 990, the disclosure document filed by tax-exempt organizations, for fiscal years 2018 or 2019—the latest available.

This report lists 296 COO salaries and people holding COO-type roles at tax-exempt organizations with annual revenue between $10 million and $50 million.

This report lists the salaries of 629 CEOs at the largest trade and professional associations, those with revenue exceeding $12 million. The information is gathered from IRS Form 990, the disclosure document filed by tax-exempt organizations, for fiscal years 2018 or 2019—the latest available.

This report lists the salaries of 200 highest-paid staffers in associations.