Median compensation for executives with “technology” in their title surged to $2.6 million in the latest fiscal year, marking a 45.4% increase since 2021, according to data compiled for Fortune by executive pay analytics firm C-suite Comp. This $810,000 rise outpaced pay gains for CEOs, COOs, CFOs, and CIOs combined over the same period.
The data shows that chief technology officers (CTOs) experienced the largest dollar increase in median pay, rising $809,587 from 2021 to 2025. By comparison, median CEO pay rose $698,399 despite starting from a base twice as high as CTOs. COOs, CFOs, and CIOs together saw a combined median increase of $725,584. Dan Laddin, founding partner at Compensation Advisory Partners, noted that strategic CTOs add significant value, driving the pay boost.
This trend highlights the growing importance of technology leadership amid widespread AI adoption and digital transformation. While CEO pay traditionally leads C-suite increases, the sharp rise in tech executive compensation reflects companies’ prioritization of technology strategy. The pay growth for tech chiefs notably exceeds the 18.3% median increase for COOs, 17.2% for CEOs, 15% for CFOs, and 9.2% for CIOs during the same timeframe.
The compensation data underscores a shift in corporate priorities as firms invest heavily in technology leadership. The latest fiscal year figures from C-suite Comp and Fortune provide a clear benchmark for executive pay trends through 2025.