What does a CTO do?
Chief Technology Officers typically work for corporations across industries to ensure the companies have the right technology to contribute to daily business operations. They work closely with Executives and IT personnel to remove outdated systems and replace them to maintain a competitive edge in their industry. Their job is to hire and train IT Directors or Managers to oversee the IT department and its employees. They may also be responsible for creating training programs to help employees adapt to new technology systems in their daily work environments.
CTO skills and qualifications
CTOs need a variety of hard skills, soft skills and qualifications, such as:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Organization and time-management skills
- Multitasking skills
- Ability to manage large budgets effectively
- Knowledge of latest technological advances that could benefit company
- Knowledge of all functions and roles withing IT department
- Knowledge of best information security practices
- Excellent leadership skills
- Ability to meet deadlines under pressure
CTO salary expectations
A CTO makes an average of $143,459 per year. Salary may depend on level of experience, education and the geographical location.
CTO salary expectations
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Common salary:
172218.36 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
39000.00 -400000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
CTO education and training requirements
CTOs need at least a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems or a related field. In some cases, a degree in business administration or management is valuable. Many CTOs have at least a master’s degree, and some even have Ph.D.s in IT or business administration fields. Most CTOs undergo training throughout their careers in IT departments. They may also earn several certifications in development, programming, database administration or other related fields.
CTO experience requirements
CTOs typically need at least 10 years of experience in IT and management. They usually start in entry-level roles in technical support, development and programming, database and network administration or engineering. After several years, they typically enter a management or leadership role, where they get the necessary leadership skills. Since CTOs need knowledge of every department role, experience in several different technology positions is valuable.
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