What is the average CSO salary in 2026?
Based on VP+ roles with posted compensation, the median CSO salary is $280K. The 25th percentile is $200K and the 75th percentile is $370K. These figures come from active job postings, not survey estimates.
How many CSO positions are open right now?
This week, ExecSignals tracked 5 scored CSO openings with posted compensation. The most common hiring signal is "Growth Hire" and the top hiring industry is Consulting.
What hiring signals matter most for CSO roles?
The top signal for CSO roles is "Growth Hire." Other common signals include reporting structure (typically reports to CEO), team-building mandates, and urgency indicators like "immediate start." ExecSignals extracts these signals automatically from every job description.
Is CSO a good retained search opportunity?
With a median salary of $280K, CSO roles typically fall within retained search territory. Roles with "Build Team" or "Reports to CEO" signals are especially strong candidates for retained engagements, as they indicate strategic hires with board-level visibility.