WAVE Foundation Salary

As of May 2026, the average annual salary for employees at WAVE Foundation in the United States is $85,692. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $41. Salaries at WAVE Foundation typically range from $74,921 to $98,088 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.
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Current Job Openings at WAVE Foundation

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

Is WAVE Foundation’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does WAVE Foundation'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
Bolder Advocacy $98,518
+15.0%
Driven by niche technical certifications required for Bolder Advocacy's specialized projects.
Ananda Dhwani Music Trust $96,282
+12.4%
Adjusted for higher cost-of-living indices in Ananda Dhwani Music Trust's primary metro hubs.
EforAll $96,831
+13.0%
Supported by EforAll's high-margin contracts allowing higher overhead.
Untd Mthdst Chr Prsng $81,420
-5.0%
Untd Mthdst Chr Prsng may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+34.6%
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.

Employee Reviews: Working at WAVE Foundation

Considering a career at WAVE Foundation? 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.
Grant management experts. The inclusive, respectful culture promotes collaboration and innovation. While job security is a plus, the lack of recognition and advancement opportunities makes it easy to lose motivation. The retirement benefits are among the best in the education sector.
The benefits package is outstanding, including premium healthcare and generous leave policies. The work matters, and the team shares a real commitment to the public good. Memorable examples changed workplace behavior. Budgeting expertise. The staff here are easy to work with and clearly experienced. Schedules are predictable, and vacation time is respected.
The inclusive culture respects diversity and promotes mutual understanding. Always organized, helpful, and clear in communication. This organization creates a positive work culture emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and employee recognition. This role provides predictable hours and job security, but creativity is limited. It’s a quiet, uneventful place to work that won’t surprise you—positivel...

WAVE Foundation Overview

Website
www.wavefoundation.org
Founded In
2006
Employees
25 - 50 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
1 Aquarium Way Newport Kentucky KY 41071
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 8598151404
Social Media
About WAVE Foundation
WAVE Foundation strives to excite, engage and educate our community about the wonders of aquatic life and the importance of conservation.

What Benefits Does WAVE Foundation Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. WAVE Foundation 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 Cincinnati?

Understanding the cost of living near Cincinnati is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at WAVE Foundation.
Cincinnati's Cost of Living Index is approximately 85.3 (14.7% less expensive than US average; 6.1% less than OH average). SW OH city, affordable housing. Metro bus, Connector streetcar (free). When planning your budget based on a salary from WAVE Foundation, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $950 - $1,400+ A significant portion of WAVE Foundation salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $140 - $230 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $70 (Metro monthly pass, Connector free) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $380 - $560 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $350 - $650+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $360 - $670+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,250 - $3,510+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of WAVE Foundation

1. How much does a WAVE Foundation employee make?

WAVE Foundation pays its employees an average of $85,692 per year. The average salary at WAVE Foundation range from $74,921 to $98,088 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 WAVE Foundation?

The salary at WAVE Foundation is lesser than the similar company. The average annual salary at WAVE Foundation is $85,692, or an hourly wage of $41, in comparison to Bolder Advocacy which pays $98,518 per year or $47 per hour.

3. How much does a Deputy Director typically earn at WAVE Foundation?

A Deputy Director at WAVE Foundation typically earns an average annual base salary of around $252,410, with a general range of $207,674 to $306,585.

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

In many roles at WAVE Foundation, 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 Cincinnati affect the perceived value of a WAVE Foundation salary?

Cincinnati's Cost of Living Index is approximately 85.3 (14.7% less expensive than US average; 6.1% less than OH average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from WAVE Foundation based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Cincinnati" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does WAVE Foundation typically offer employees?

WAVE Foundation 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 WAVE Foundation" section on this page.