Nonprofits Offer the Best Benefits

There may be some truth to the notion that a nonprofit job is low in pay but comes with good benefits, according to Mercer Human Resource Consulting. Mercer analyzed the benefits programs at more than 1,000 large employers—both for-profit and nonprofit–in the United States.

The study indicates that large nonprofits offer the highest level of total benefits at 128 percent of the market median. Government employers offer 127 percent of the market median, and education employers’ benefits are 121 percent of the median.

Among for-profit employers, the utilities, mining and insurance industries offer the most generous benefits packages. The hospitality and retail sectors offer some of the leanest benefits.

A chart showing the level of benefits by industry is available online.