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Associations Forum Releases 16th Annual Associations Salary Survey for 2025

Associations Forum has released its 16th Associations Salary Survey for 2025, a dedicated resource for professionals and board members in the associations sector. This comprehensive report offers insights into the latest remuneration trends enabling not-for-profits and membership-based associations to make informed decisions about employee pay and benefits. 

Data was collected from 255 associations, and the survey targets 14 key positions essential to the smooth running of an association.

Fatima Sunderji, General Manager at Associations Forum, says the 2025 Salary Survey equips associations with critical data to make confident and forward-thinking decisions.

“Understanding how salaries are shifting across the sector gives associations a clear advantage when it comes to workforce planning,” she said. “This year’s results highlight not just changes in pay, but also what’s driving staff attraction and retention — particularly the growing emphasis on flexibility and organisational purpose.”

She added, “With detailed benchmarking across 14 key roles, this report is more than a snapshot — it’s a strategic tool that equips associations to remain competitive and forward-focused. Flexibility and purpose continue to drive staff engagement, but it’s the role-specific insights within this report that provide the clarity needed to budget effectively and attract the right talent.”

Key findings

• Changes in remuneration were more subdued over the past year, with an overall average increase of only 1.8% (compared to a 12.1% increase reported in last year's survey).
• 95% of respondents indicate flexibility with hours and location continued to be the main driver in attracting and retaining staff, followed by an organisation's purpose and reputation (78%).
• Remuneration continued to rise across 10 of the positions and fell in four of the positions surveyed. The positions that fell this year had some of the largest increases in our 2024 survey.

Associations Forum would like to thank all the organisations and individuals who invested their valuable time to complete the Associations Salary Survey 2025.

This report is an indispensable tool for associations striving to stay competitive in the evolving job market.

The 92-page Associations Salary Survey 2025 can be purchased for $300 (Members) or $600 (Non-member NFP organisations). 

About Associations Forum

Associations Forum is Australia’s largest broad-based network of associations with over 500 members. Its mission of “bringing associations together to boost performance” is achieved through delivering information, training and advice. Visit www.associations.net.au. 

For further media information, contact Sarea Bhar, Marketing and Communications Officer at sarea@associations.net.au or 02 9904 8200.