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Chief Technology Officer Salary in 2026

Lead technology strategy, innovation, and engineering teams at the executive level.

Median Salary

$260,000

$21,667/mo

Entry Level

$180,000

starting pay

Senior Level

$380,000

experienced

Job Growth

+8%

10-yr outlook

Chief Technology Officer Overview

Lead technology strategy, innovation, and engineering teams at the executive level.

Education

Master's Degree

Experience

15+ years

Industry

Technology

Total Jobs (US)

30K

5-Year Growth

+5%

Category

Technology

Hourly Rate

$125.00/hr

Monthly Pay

$21,667

Chief Technology Officer Salary Calculator

Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Chief Technology Officer salary in your area.

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

Estimated Chief Technology Officer Salary

$312,000

$26,000/month · $12,000/biweekly · $150.00/hr

Chief Technology Officer Salary Range

Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Chief Technology Officer field.

25th Percentile$212,000
$212K
Median (50th)$260,000
$260K
75th Percentile$320,000
$320K
90th Percentile$465,000
$465K
Top Earners$550,000
$550K

Entry-level Chief Technology Officers earn around $180,000, while the top 10% earn $465,000 or more.

Top Paying States for Chief Technology Officers

StateEst. Median Salaryvs National
California$307,000+$47,000
New York$299,000+$39,000
Washington$291,000+$31,000
Massachusetts$291,000+$31,000
Texas$255,000$-5,000

Top Paying Cities for Chief Technology Officers

CityEst. Median Salaryvs National
San Francisco$325,000+$65,000
New York$307,000+$47,000
Seattle$296,000+$36,000
Boston$291,000+$31,000
Austin$268,000+$8,000

Required Skills & Certifications

Key Skills

Technical VisionArchitectureTeam LeadershipProduct StrategyInnovation

Certifications

None typically required

Chief Technology Officer Career Progression

Typical salary growth path for a Chief Technology Officer from entry level to expert.

Entry Level

$180,000

0-2 years

Mid Career

$280,000

3-7 years

Senior

$380,000

8-14 years

Lead / Expert

$550,000

15+ years

EntryExpert

Chief Technology Officer Salary FAQ

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