Who Leads the Salvation Army in 2025?
The Salvation Army operates with a unique quasi-military structure. It doesn’t have a traditional “CEO” like a Fortune 500 company. Instead, it has officers, commissioners, and a General who serves as the global leader. Here’s the current leadership breakdown:- International Leader (Global CEO): General Lyndon Buckingham, who took office on August 3, 2023. He serves as the chief executive officer of the entire global Salvation Army operation.
- USA National Commander: Commissioner Merle Heatwole, appointed effective March 1, 2025, alongside Commissioner Dawn Heatwole as National Leaders for the USA.
- USA National Commissioner/President: Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, who has been a key leadership figure in the U.S. operations.
How Much Does the Salvation Army CEO Make?
This is where things get interesting — and a little complicated. The Salvation Army is classified as a religious organization in the United States. That means it is not required to file a Form 990 with the IRS, unlike most nonprofits. This makes it difficult to verify exact, standardized compensation figures for top leadership. However, we can piece together a clear picture from multiple reliable sources.Salary Range for U.S. Leadership
According to ZipRecruiter and other compensation databases, the Salvation Army CEO/National Commander salary in the U.S. generally falls within these ranges:- 25th Percentile: ~$54,500/year
- Average (National): ~$88,000–$90,000/year
- 75th–90th Percentile: ~$132,000–$150,000/year
- Top Estimates (with bonuses & benefits): $150,000–$200,000+
- Base compensation: $0
- Other compensation: $49,990
- Additional reportable compensation: $26,155
Salary in Urban Areas
Location plays a role too. In high-cost cities, average CEO-level pay at the Salvation Army tends to be higher:- New York City: ~$90,558/year
- San Francisco & other metro areas: Slightly higher than the national average
Salvation Army CEO Salary Table
Here’s a clear summary of the compensation data from various sources:| Role / Source | Base Salary | Bonus / Other | Estimated Total |
| U.S. CEO Average (ZipRecruiter) | ~$88,000–$90,000 | Varies | ~$90,000–$132,000 |
| Kenneth Hodder — SAWSO (ProPublica) | $0 (from this entity) | $49,990 + $26,155 | ~$76,145 (one entity only) |
| Kenneth Hodder — Estimated Total (Social Sources) | ~$340,000 | ~$103,000 bonus | ~$443,000 |
| UK Territorial Leader (SalvationArmy.org.uk) | £22,668 | Housing provided | £22,668 + housing |
| Top U.S. Range Estimate | $150,000–$200,000 | Benefits + housing | $200,000+ |
What About the International Leader’s Salary?
General Lyndon Buckingham leads the Salvation Army globally from its International Headquarters in London. The international leader’s exact salary is not widely published. However, we can look at the UK model for context. The Salvation Army UK publicly discloses that its Territorial Leader, Commissioner Paul Main, receives remuneration of just £22,668 per year (approximately $28,500 USD). That’s remarkably low for a leadership role overseeing billions in charitable operations. Officers in the UK also receive a provided home, which significantly reduces their living expenses. The Salvation Army UK website states clearly that unlike most charities, their leaders receive modest, stipend-like pay as part of their faith commitment. This gives us a strong indication that the General’s compensation likely follows a similar modest structure, though the exact figure is not publicly confirmed.Why Is the Salary So Low Compared to Other Nonprofits?
The Salvation Army’s compensation philosophy is rooted in its faith-based, mission-driven identity. All top leaders are ordained ministers who have committed to a life of service. They don’t negotiate salaries like corporate executives. Instead, they receive:- A modest stipend or salary
- Provided housing (quarters)
- Cost-of-living allowances
- Basic benefits and allowances for daily needs
| Organization | CEO Compensation (Approx.) |
| Salvation Army (USA) | $88,000–$200,000 (varies by source) |
| American Red Cross | ~$700,000+ |
| Goodwill Industries (Regional CEOs) | $200,000–$800,000+ |
| United Way Worldwide | ~$500,000–$1,000,000+ |
| Salvation Army (UK Leader) | ~£22,668 (~$28,500) |
Salvation Army CEO Net Worth — What We Know
Here’s the honest truth: there is no publicly verified net worth for any Salvation Army CEO or General. Because officers live on modest stipends with provided housing, their personal wealth accumulation is significantly limited compared to corporate executives. General Lyndon Buckingham and the U.S. Commissioners are not building personal fortunes. Their lifestyle is tied to the organization’s mission and values. If you see net worth figures floating around online, treat them with caution. Most are estimates or speculation, not verified financial disclosures.Can You Verify Salvation Army Compensation?
Transparency is important. Here’s how you can research further:- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer — Search for Salvation Army-related entities that do file Form 990s (like SAWSO).
- Salvation Army Annual Reports — Published yearly on their official website with financial summaries.
- Salvation Army UK Transparency Page — One of the best public disclosures of officer pay.
- Charity watchdog sites — MinistryWatch and Charity Navigator provide ratings and financial profiles.
💡 Key Takeaways
Before we wrap up, here are the most important points to remember:- General Lyndon Buckingham is the global CEO of the Salvation Army since August 2023. In the U.S., Commissioner Merle Heatwole became National Commander in March 2025.
- U.S. CEO-level salaries range from $54,500 to $200,000+, depending on the source and whether bonuses and benefits are included.
- The UK Territorial Leader earns just £22,668/year plus housing — one of the lowest leadership salaries among major global charities.
- The Salvation Army is a religious organization exempt from Form 990 filings, making exact U.S. compensation figures hard to verify.
- Compared to peers like the Red Cross or Goodwill, Salvation Army leadership compensation is remarkably modest.
- There is no verified net worth for any Salvation Army CEO or General.
Frequently Asked Questions — Salvation Army CEO Salary
How much does the Salvation Army CEO make a year?
The Salvation Army CEO salary in the United States varies depending on the source and reporting method. The Salvation Army CEO equivalent (National Commander) in the U.S. earns an estimated $88,000 to $315,000 per year, depending on bonuses and benefits included.
Who is the current CEO of the Salvation Army?
General Lyndon Buckingham serves as the global CEO since August 2023, while Commissioner Merle Heatwole became the U.S. National Commander effective March 1, 2025.
What is the Salvation Army CEO's net worth?
There is no publicly verified net worth for any Salvation Army CEO, as officers live on modest stipends with provided housing and do not accumulate personal wealth like corporate executives.
Does the Salvation Army CEO make more than other nonprofit CEOs?
No — the Salvation Army CEO earns significantly less than peers at the American Red Cross (~$700K+), Goodwill (~$200K–$800K+), and United Way (~$500K–$1M+).
Why is the Salvation Army CEO salary not publicly listed?
The Salvation Army is classified as a religious organization exempt from IRS Form 990 filings, making exact and standardized U.S. compensation figures difficult to verify publicly.