CIO salary survey 2016 – CIO vs CTO vs CDO salaries in the UK

CIO salaries in the UK have increased to an average of $206,849 according to the 2016 Harvey Nash CIO Survey. Chief Information Officers in the UK received a slightly higher salary than the global average and also a larger compensation than those with a Chief Technology Officer and Chief Digital Officer job title. [See also: CIO salary survey industry benchmark – Average salaries of UK CIOs by vertical sector]

The 2015 edition of the survey revealed a CIO salary of $199,512 in the UK and $195,381 globally. In 2016, those with a job title VP or director of IT had an average salary of $148,196 in 2016, compared to a global average of $146,349, and for those with a CTO title the average salary was $161,579 compared to $169,535 worldwide.

Due to recent fluctuations in the pound and market instability following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, all figures have been kept in dollars to ensure meaningful comparison with previous years since responses were made before the EU referendum.

CIO salary – $206,849 CTO salary – $161,579 CDO salary – $188,571

Some 35% of CIOs in the UK saw a salary increase in compared to the previous year, with compensation staying the same for 62% and 3% seeing a decrease. When it came to bonuses there was also positive economic news for CIOs with 45% of CIOs receiving a bonus worth up to 40% of their salary, and only 36% of CIOs not receiving a bonus at all.

CIOs might welcome figures that show on average, according to the recruiters and executive search firm, Chief Information Officers are receiving more than Chief Digital Officers. CDOs in the UK reported an average salary of $188,571 compared to $199,722 globally. In 2015, the same survey revealed an average Chief Digital Officer salary in sterling of £114,750, rising to £158,180 for CDOs reporting to the CEO.