C-suite executive responsible for technology strategy, engineering, and innovation. Median salary in Raleigh: $354K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Raleigh, North Carolina. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s in Raleigh earn approximately 10% higher than the US national median for this role — a $32,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Raleigh's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
Adjusted for Raleigh's cost-of-living index (102), the median Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary buys the equivalent of $347,059 in a US-average-cost city. That's $25,059 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $354K by 2030.
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The median Chief Technology Officer (CTO) salary in Raleigh, NC is $354,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Raleigh–NC metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Chief Technology Officer (CTO)s in Raleigh with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $270,000 and $354,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $354,000 to $460,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $460,000 to $592,000 or more.
Raleigh has a cost of living index of 102 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Raleigh are close to the national average. North Carolina has a 4.75% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's in CS; MBA preferred; 20+ years technical leadership. This role is 58% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Raleigh-based professionals.