First Draft Salary

First Draft Salary

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As of April 2026, the average annual salary for employees at First Draft in the United States is $95,797. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $46. Salaries at First Draft typically range from $84,204 to $108,392 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does First Draft Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at First Draft. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the MD, with an annual salary of $202,669. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
How accurate does the salary look to you?

Current Job Openings at First Draft

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at First Draft. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is First Draft’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does First Draft's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Kamensky Cohen & Riechelson $95,259
-0.6%
Aligns perfectly with prevailing regional benchmarks for this specific job family.
Trang $104,773
+9.4%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in Trang's primary metro hubs.
Career Okay $88,688
-7.4%
Typical compensation structure for smaller regional agencies like Career Okay.
Keller Williams Space Coast $81,325
-15.1%
Keller Williams Space Coast focuses strategically on recruiting and training entry-level apprentices.
Business Services Industry $120,931
+26.2%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

How First Draft's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

Explore companies in the same industry to compare average salaries, benefits, and career opportunities with those at First Draft. Click a company name to learn more.

Employee Reviews: Working at First Draft

Considering a career at First Draft? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
My time here has been consistent. My experience at this company has been nothing short of excellent. Colleagues are collaborative, and diversity is celebrated across teams. Our team leader is fantastic at empowering us.
Commented in March 30, 2025
20
1
Training was sufficient, and tasks are straightforward. The benefits are competitive, and the leadership team is transparent and responsive. Training programs exist but are rarely customized.
Commented in February 22, 2025
9
2
My manager is my biggest advocate. The company has successfully maintained a startup-like collaborative spirit despite its large size, which makes problem-solving and innovation much more effective. The benefits and compensation are very fair. Management showed faith in my abilities and provided the support I needed to succeed. Benefits include health insurance, paid time off, and wellness program...
Commented in December 16, 2024
41
3

First Draft Overview

Website
www.firstdraftnews.org
Founded In
2016
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Business Services
Headquarter Address
317 N Broad St Philadelphia Pennsylvania PA 19103
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 6789027754
Social Media
About First Draft
First Draft is a global non-profit that supports journalists, academics and technologists working to address challenges relating to trust and truth in the digital age. As part of its global CrossCheck initiative, First Draft has a year-long, nationwide strategy for supporting the verification and reporting of online information relating to the 2020 U.S. presidential election. Newsrooms can nominat

What Benefits Does First Draft Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. First Draft offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Philadelphia?

Understanding the cost of living near Philadelphia is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at First Draft.
Philadelphia's Cost of Living Index is approximately 101.2 (1.2% more expensive than US average; 4.2% more than PA average). Major historic city, housing varies by neighborhood but can be high in Center City. SEPTA. When planning your budget based on a salary from First Draft, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,400 - $2,200+ A significant portion of First Draft salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $96 (SEPTA TransPass monthly) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $430 - $630 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $400 - $750+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $390 - $730+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,866 - $4,566+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of First Draft

1. How much does a First Draft employee make?

First Draft pays its employees an average of $95,797 per year. The average salary at First Draft range from $84,204 to $108,392 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than First Draft?

The salary at First Draft is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at First Draft is $95,797, or an hourly wage of $46, in comparison to Kamensky Cohen & Riechelson which pays $95,259 per year or $46 per hour.

3. How much does a MD typically earn at First Draft?

A MD at First Draft typically earns an average annual base salary of around $202,669, with a general range of $177,543 to $221,878.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at First Draft?

In many roles at First Draft, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Philadelphia affect the perceived value of a First Draft salary?

Philadelphia's Cost of Living Index is approximately 101.2 (1.2% more expensive than US average; 4.2% more than PA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from First Draft based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Philadelphia" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does First Draft typically offer employees?

First Draft generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at First Draft" section on this page.

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