What is the average CTO salary in 2026?
Based on VP+ roles with posted compensation, the median CTO salary is $330K. The 25th percentile is $240K and the 75th percentile is $430K. These figures come from active job postings, not survey estimates.
How many CTO positions are open right now?
This week, ExecSignals tracked 7 scored CTO openings with posted compensation. The most common hiring signal is "Build Team" and the top hiring industry is Software / SaaS.
What hiring signals matter most for CTO roles?
The top signal for CTO roles is "Build Team." 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 CTO a good retained search opportunity?
With a median salary of $330K, CTO 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.