It is considered one of the best kept secrets! Now the ORF reveals exactly 62 top salaries. The “Krone” knows the details in advance. In the first place is a radio star and not the general manager…
Paradise state radio compensation. It has always been a political issue, hotly debated in public. On Easter Sunday, the public broadcaster will put a large egg in the electronic mailbox of the Federal Chancellery. Because then the secret will be revealed with the list of exactly 62 best-earning ORF employees with a gross annual salary of 170,000 euros (2023).
Top earners wanted to stop publication
However, not voluntarily. In exchange for the budget levy, the ORF top salaries must be published – as reported. During a video crisis summit on Küniglberg, top earners wanted to hold back the revelation at the last minute for fear of a wave of outrage on social networks. But that would amount to breaking the law. Not an option for the ORF leadership, especially not in a great election year.
The “Krone” is already aware of the explosive paper in advance. Compared to the average salary or pension, the figures (see also graph below) are actually great.
Expensive old contracts and lucrative part-time jobs
The state radio is struggling with expensive, but often temporary (old) contracts. Moreover, this only concerns approximately 1.3 percent of the approximately 4,000 employees (with subsidiaries). Managers were sometimes responsible for hundreds of employees and budgets in the triple-digit millions. And additional income is now limited in any case by new ethical rules.
Getting up early is richly rewarded
In any case, at the top is Robert Kratky, the radio voice of the country. The ‘Ö3 Alarm Clock’ star softens the time he gets up at 3:30 am from Monday to Friday with an annual salary of about 455,000 euros. This corresponds to about 32,500 euros/month or almost twelve times (!) the average earner and is almost twice as much as radio director Ingrid Thurnher. He also earns 9,000 euros per month in his sideline.
ORF security guard Pius Strobl took second place (440,000 euros). Managing director Roland Weißmann is only in third place (with 420,000 euros less than his predecessor Alexander Wrabetz).
All nine state studio directors are also on the list. The top salaries for TV journalists and “ZiB” stars include Armin Wolf with 250,000 euros (i.e. 18,000 euros plus 2,500 euros for part-time jobs per month) and Hans Bürger with 195,000 euros. Also foreign correspondents such as the Ukrainian war correspondent Christian Wehrschütz or Ernst Gelegs. But not the “ZiB” speakers Tarek Leitner or Nadja Bernhard.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
