Outside Directors Compensation Rises

ByJohn S. McClenahen This year, both median basic annual compensation for outside corporate directors in manufacturing and median total compensation are up from their 2003 levels. Median basic annual compensation, the mix of fees and retainers for board service together with committee pay, is $50,000 this year, compared with $45,000 last year, says the Conference Board, a New York-based business research group. Median total compensation is now $72,750, up from $69,620 in 2003. Total compensation includes fees, retainers and committee pay, plus annual, one-time or periodic grants of stock, restricted stock grants and the value of stock-option grants.