How Much Does a Chief Data Officer Make in 2025?
A chief data officer develops and supervises data strategy, architecture, and systems to facilitate business objectives and business operations. They guarantee efficient administration, security, data accuracy, privacy, and compliance with data privacy regulations. The role also includes conducting an assessment of new approaches to optimize data capabilities for business growth and operational efficiency.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expect the number of top executive jobs, including many chief data officers, to grow 6% over the next ten years, producing an estimated 343,800 job postings every year from 2023 to 2033. Salary.com reports that the average yearly salary of chief data officers as of July 9, 2025, is $324,900.
This guide presents an overview of chief data officer earnings, including salary data in every state and city in the US, key factors that influence them, and proven tips for increasing earnings aligned with business goals.
What is the Chief Data Officer’s Salary?
According to Salary.com, the average salary of chief data officers in the United States for July 9, 2025, is $324,900 per year.
2025 Average Salary of Chief Data Officers: $324,900 per year ($156 per hour)
As of this writing, the average chief data officer earns $156 per hour, with hourly wages that can go up to $180 or down to $120. Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for chief data officers are $6,248 and $27,075, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Chief Data Officer?
Salary.com reveals that the salary range for the chief data officer starts at $250,201 per year and can reach as high as $375,336, with most earning between $285,800 and $351,300.
However, it’s also important to note that this salary range for chief data officers may vary and is heavily affected by key factors including education, level of experience, geographic location, market analysis, and occupation demand.
Chief Data Officer Salary Range: $250,201 to $375,336 per year ($120 to $180 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $120 | $4,812 | $20,850 | $250,201 |
| 25th Percentile | $137 | $5,496 | $23,817 | $285,800 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $156 | $6,248 | $27,075 | $324,900 |
| 75th Percentile | $169 | $6,756 | $29,275 | $351,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $180 | $7,218 | $31,278 | $375,336 |
Salary.com also reported that the average total compensation received by the chief data officer is $605,506. This already includes benefits and average additional cash compensation such as bonuses, health insurance, and time off, contributing to cash flow.
Chief Data Officer Salary Factors
As previously mentioned, several factors can affect chief data officer salaries. These include experience, location, and skills. Let’s explore each of these in detail.
Years of Experience
The average salary of chief data officers, based on years of experience, ranges from $300,934 per year for entry-level chief data officer to $324,800 per year for expert-level chief data officer with 8+ years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Chief Data Officer | <1 | $300,934 |
| Intermediate Level Chief Data Officer | 1-2 | $304,427 |
| Senior Level Chief Data Officer | 2-4 | $309,084 |
| Specialist Level Chief Data Officer | 5-8 | $316,069 |
| Expert Level Chief Data Officer | 8+ | $324,800 |
Place of Work
BLS reported that the specific workplace significantly influences the salary for chief executives, including many chief data officers. For instance, a top executive working in the management of companies and enterprises industry can earn as much as $239,200 or more in 2024.
| Place of work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Management of companies and enterprises | $239,200 or more |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $208,870 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | $194,360 |
| Government | $137,310 |
Skill Set
Chief data officers with certain in-demand skills are also in line to increase their salaries. For instance, the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report shows that a chief data officer with data architecture skills can earn up to 7.87% more than those without.
On the other hand, a chief data officer having data management and data governance skills is more likely to land a job with 52.67% demand for both skills, respectively.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Data Architecture | 23.67% | +7.87% |
| IT Strategy | 13.49% | +6.50% |
| Data Science | 26.22% | +5.90% |
| Data Privacy | 13.49% | +5.62% |
| Data Analytics | 27.38% | +4.50% |
| Data Quality | 38.52% | +4.31% |
Chief Officer Data Salary by City and State
A city or state must adhere to the state minimum wage; hence, the location can substantially influence the earning potential for this position in the US. Talented and experienced chief data officers can take advantage of this information to identify the most strategic locations for both living and working, supporting business growth, operational efficiency, and strategic decisions.
Highest Paying States for Chief Data Officers
Based on the Salary.com data, the District of Columbia offers the highest median annual wage for chief data officers in the United States, at $359,700.
- District of Columbia: $359,700 per year (or $173 per hour)
- California: $358,400 per year (or $172 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $353,600 per year (or $170 per hour)
- Washington: $352,300 per year (or $169 per hour)
- New Jersey: $352,200 per year (or $169 per hour)
Chief Data Officer Salary by State
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $351,700 |
| Alabama | $298,500 |
| Arkansas | $293,500 |
| Arizona | $316,600 |
| California | $358,400 |
| Colorado | $331,500 |
| Connecticut | $347,200 |
| District of Columbia | $359,700 |
| Delaware | $329,000 |
| Florida | $307,400 |
| Georgia | $313,400 |
| Hawaii | $339,600 |
| Iowa | $310,900 |
| Idaho | $303,300 |
| Illinois | $331,200 |
| Indiana | $311,900 |
| Kansas | $309,400 |
| Kentucky | $305,700 |
| Louisiana | $308,900 |
| Massachusetts | $353,600 |
| Maryland | $335,000 |
| Maine | $316,800 |
| Michigan | $320,000 |
| Minnesota | $332,500 |
| Missouri | $308,700 |
| Mississippi | $289,800 |
| Montana | $306,800 |
| North Carolina | $308,800 |
| North Dakota | $321,000 |
| Nebraska | $306,100 |
| New Hampshire | $328,500 |
| New Jersey | $352,200 |
| New Mexico | $300,900 |
| Nevada | $321,600 |
| New York | $345,400 |
| Ohio | $316,400 |
| Oklahoma | $300,400 |
| Oregon | $330,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $323,500 |
| Rhode Island | $336,900 |
| South Carolina | $304,500 |
| South Dakota | $295,300 |
| Tennessee | $303,600 |
| Texas | $316,900 |
| Utah | $311,100 |
| Virginia | $327,200 |
| Vermont | $318,900 |
| Washington | $352,300 |
| Wisconsin | $319,600 |
| West Virginia | $292,600 |
| Wyoming | $311,600 |
Highest Paying Cities for Chief Data Officer
According to the Salary.com data, the city of San Jose, California is the highest-paying city for chief data officer with $409,800 per year or $197 per hour. Recent chief data officer salaries show that the 6 highest paying cities are as follows:
- San Jose, California: $409,800 per year (or $197 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $405,800 per year ($195 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $396,800 per year ($191 per hour)
- New York, New York: $376,500 per year ($181 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $374,100 per year ($180 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $371,500 per year ($179 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Chief Data Officer
Chief data officers have several opportunities to increase their salary by gaining more experience, improving in-demand skills, exploring growth within the role, supporting business objectives and strategic decisions.
- Gain necessary work experience: According to BLS, numerous top executives grow within their respective companies, advancing from subordinate management roles or supervisory positions. Chief executives generally require substantial leadership and management experience, specifically within the organization's related field of expertise.
- Get license and certifications: BLS indicates that certain top executive roles, including chief data officers, might require the candidate to possess a license or qualification pertinent to their business operations domain. Some organizations may mandate that their chief executive officer has certification as a public accountant (CPA).
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Accessing high-paying industries: For chief data officers, these are some of the highest paying industries as of May 2024:
- Management of companies and enterprises
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- Healthcare and social assistance
- Government
- Learn in-demand skills: The position frequently collaborates with data scientists, personnel, and other executives to address market fluctuations, guarantee data-driven judgments, and execute strategies and protocols that facilitate overall business growth and insights into customer behavior. They must adapt to technology changes, invest in suitable infrastructure, and utilize tools and resources efficiently to sustain a strong emphasis on organizational performance while balancing finances, processes, and efforts to attain their company objectives.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of July 9, 2025, data from five major salary reporting websites indicate that the national average salary of chief data officer in the US is $220,758.4 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$324,900/year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$145,360/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$308,000/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$174,329/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$151,203/year
