Spencer Stuart, the global executive search firm, in October published its annual Board Index Report, detailing a number of trends in board compensation, organization and other data. Perhaps the most interesting aspect, as usual, is the chart listing relative compensation of board members by industry.

For example, the average compensation of a non-employee director at Interpublic Group of Companies is $175,697, while the same position at its rival, Omnicom Group, receives $208,556 on average. Likewise, a non-executive director at Nordstrom earns $224,114 on average in annual compensation. The same position at Macy’s earns $25,188, on average.

While news stories have reported heavily on chief executive compensation amidst our current financial downturn, less covered is director compensation. Spencer Stuart will no doubt receive more attention than usual with this report as its information has never been more relevant.