What is the average Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary in the US?

The national median Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary is $322,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $245,000, while senior professionals earn $538,000 or more.

Which city pays Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s the most?

New York City offers the highest median Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary at $602K per year among the cities we track. However, high-cost cities like San Francisco and New York often have lower purchasing power once cost of living is factored in.

How fast are Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salaries growing?

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salaries are growing at 5.5% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Technology58% remote-eligible+5.5% YoY growth

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Salary
by City (2026)

C-suite executive responsible for technology strategy, engineering, and innovation. National median: $322K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$322K

Top 10% earn

$538K

Entry level

$245K

Salary growth

+5.5%/yr

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
New York City, NY	$458K	$602K	$782K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$453K	$596K	$773K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$453K	$596K	$773K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$429K	$564K	$732K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$421K	$554K	$719K	172	9.3%
San Francisco, CA	$404K	$531K	$690K	224	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$404K	$531K	$690K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$404K	$531K	$690K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$397K	$522K	$677K	162	None ✓
San Jose, CA	$387K	$509K	$660K	210	9.3%
Stamford, CT	$387K	$509K	$660K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$380K	$499K	$648K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$368K	$483K	$627K	150	9.3%
Oakland, CA	$363K	$477K	$619K	185	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$363K	$477K	$619K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$363K	$477K	$619K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$355K	$467K	$606K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$355K	$467K	$606K	145	10.75%
Seattle, WA	$348K	$457K	$594K	150	None ✓
Washington, DC	$343K	$451K	$585K	152	8.5%
Paterson, NJ	$343K	$451K	$585K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$338K	$444K	$577K	138	9.3%
Boston, MA	$338K	$444K	$577K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$338K	$444K	$577K	162	10.75%
Edison, NJ	$338K	$444K	$577K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$338K	$444K	$577K	138	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$331K	$435K	$564K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$331K	$435K	$564K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$323K	$425K	$552K	155	10.75%
San Diego, CA	$319K	$419K	$543K	148	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$314K	$412K	$535K	155	9.3%
Austin, TX	$299K	$393K	$510K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$299K	$393K	$510K	130	9.9%
New Haven, CT	$299K	$393K	$510K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$294K	$386K	$502K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$289K	$380K	$493K	128	9.3%
Riverside, CA	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	4.95%
Tacoma, WA	$289K	$380K	$493K	128	None ✓
Vancouver, WA	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	None ✓
Denver, CO	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	4.55%
Lowell, MA	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$289K	$380K	$493K	118	5.99%
Plano, TX	$282K	$370K	$481K	105	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$282K	$370K	$481K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$282K	$370K	$481K	118	2.5%
Lakewood, CO	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	4.55%
Worcester, MA	$282K	$370K	$481K	120	5%
Ann Arbor, MI	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	4.25%
Salt Lake City, UT	$282K	$370K	$481K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	5.75%
Frederick, MD	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$282K	$370K	$481K	115	5.99%
Honolulu, HI	$282K	$370K	$481K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$274K	$361K	$468K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$274K	$361K	$468K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$274K	$361K	$468K	123	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$274K	$361K	$468K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$274K	$361K	$468K	112	4.55%
Durham, NC	$274K	$361K	$468K	100	4.75%
Cary, NC	$274K	$361K	$468K	112	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$274K	$361K	$468K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$274K	$361K	$468K	106	6.8%
Aurora, CO	$270K	$354K	$460K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$270K	$354K	$460K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$270K	$354K	$460K	102	4.75%
Eugene, OR	$270K	$354K	$460K	110	9.9%
Provo, UT	$270K	$354K	$460K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$270K	$354K	$460K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$270K	$354K	$460K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$265K	$348K	$451K	97	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$265K	$348K	$451K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$265K	$348K	$451K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$265K	$348K	$451K	105	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$265K	$348K	$451K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$265K	$348K	$451K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$265K	$348K	$451K	108	4.55%
St. Paul, MN	$265K	$348K	$451K	104	6.8%
Boise, ID	$265K	$348K	$451K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$265K	$348K	$451K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$257K	$338K	$439K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$257K	$338K	$439K	93	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$257K	$338K	$439K	105	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$257K	$338K	$439K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$257K	$338K	$439K	100	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$257K	$338K	$439K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$257K	$338K	$439K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$257K	$338K	$439K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$257K	$338K	$439K	90	3.07%
Salem, OR	$257K	$338K	$439K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$257K	$338K	$439K	105	None ✓
Reno, NV	$257K	$338K	$439K	108	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$257K	$338K	$439K	105	5.8%
Arlington, TX	$250K	$328K	$426K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$250K	$328K	$426K	91	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$250K	$328K	$426K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$250K	$328K	$426K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$250K	$328K	$426K	88	5%
Missoula, MT	$250K	$328K	$426K	102	6.75%
Denton, TX	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL	$245K	$322K	$418K	105	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$245K	$322K	$418K	98	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$245K	$322K	$418K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$245K	$322K	$418K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$245K	$322K	$418K	102	5.3%
Rochester, MN	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$245K	$322K	$418K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$245K	$322K	$418K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$240K	$316K	$410K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$240K	$316K	$410K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$240K	$316K	$410K	102	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$240K	$316K	$410K	98	7.15%
Cincinnati, OH	$235K	$309K	$401K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$235K	$309K	$401K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$235K	$309K	$401K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$235K	$309K	$401K	90	5.3%
Fresno, CA	$233K	$306K	$397K	102	9.3%
Bakersfield, CA	$233K	$306K	$397K	95	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$233K	$306K	$397K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$233K	$306K	$397K	93	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$233K	$306K	$397K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$233K	$306K	$397K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$233K	$306K	$397K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$233K	$306K	$397K	95	5.75%
Detroit, MI	$233K	$306K	$397K	82	4.25%
Allentown, PA	$233K	$306K	$397K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$233K	$306K	$397K	95	6.5%
San Antonio, TX	$225K	$296K	$385K	87	None ✓
Midland, TX	$225K	$296K	$385K	92	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$225K	$296K	$385K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$225K	$296K	$385K	95	None ✓
Athens, GA	$225K	$296K	$385K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$225K	$296K	$385K	92	6.8%
Louisville, KY	$225K	$296K	$385K	85	5%
Greenville, SC	$225K	$296K	$385K	92	6.5%
Des Moines, IA	$225K	$296K	$385K	88	4.82%
Cheyenne, WY	$225K	$296K	$385K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$221K	$290K	$376K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$221K	$290K	$376K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$221K	$290K	$376K	90	4.95%
Cleveland, OH	$221K	$290K	$376K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$221K	$290K	$376K	90	4.25%
Sterling Heights, MI	$221K	$290K	$376K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$221K	$290K	$376K	90	5.3%
New Orleans, LA	$221K	$290K	$376K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$221K	$290K	$376K	88	5.84%
Fargo, ND	$221K	$290K	$376K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$216K	$283K	$368K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$216K	$283K	$368K	92	5.75%
Greensboro, NC	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	4.75%
Memphis, TN	$216K	$283K	$368K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$216K	$283K	$368K	85	None ✓
Chattanooga, TN	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	None ✓
Green Bay, WI	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	5%
Birmingham, AL	$216K	$283K	$368K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$216K	$283K	$368K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$216K	$283K	$368K	88	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$208K	$274K	$355K	84	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	5.3%
Tulsa, OK	$208K	$274K	$355K	80	4.75%
Lafayette, LA	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	4.82%
Wichita, KS	$208K	$274K	$355K	82	5.7%
Kansas City, KS	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$208K	$274K	$355K	85	4.9%
El Paso, TX	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	4.82%
Little Rock, AR	$201K	$264K	$343K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$196K	$258K	$334K	78	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$196K	$258K	$334K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$191K	$251K	$326K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$191K	$251K	$326K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$191K	$251K	$326K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$191K	$251K	$326K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$191K	$251K	$326K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$191K	$251K	$326K	78	6.5%
Laredo, TX	$184K	$242K	$314K	76	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$184K	$242K	$314K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$184K	$242K	$314K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$184K	$242K	$314K	75	6.5%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $322K Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is $322,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $245,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $418,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s nationally earn $538,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS; MBA preferred; 20+ years technical leadership. This role is 58% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) compensation is growing at 5.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Salaryby City (2026)