CTO salary UK
CTO salary in the UK
The figures below are copied from published guides. Each one says which population it covers.
Ranges vary by company size and stage.
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CTO, average, large corporate firms
£175,800 average
Source: Computing, UK IT salaries benchmarked for 2026, quoting Harvey Nash. Harvey Nash figure reported by Computing. Indeed comparison accessed 6 to 13 February 2026
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CTO, average on Indeed job-board data
£76,250 average
Source: Computing, UK IT salaries benchmarked for 2026, quoting Harvey Nash. Indeed comparison accessed 6 to 13 February 2026. Computing says this Indeed average is drawn from 270 UK postings and reflects advertised roles on that board.
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London CTO, FTSE 100
£130,000 to £220,000
£180,000 typical
Source: Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends 2026, technology leadership tables. 2026 guide, accessed 1 November 2026
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London CTO, FTSE 250
£110,000 to £180,000
£135,000 typical
Source: Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends 2026, technology leadership tables. 2026 guide, accessed 1 November 2026
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London CTO, SME
£100,000 to £140,000
£130,000 typical
Source: Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends 2026, technology leadership tables. 2026 guide, accessed 1 November 2026
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Midlands CTO
£110,000 to £170,000
£140,000 typical
Source: Hays UK Salary and Recruiting Trends 2026, technology leadership tables. 2026 guide, accessed 1 November 2026
The role itself is described on the CTO recruitment page. Chief AI Officer and Chief Data Officer figures are in the salary guide.
Questions we are often asked
What is a published UK average for a CTO at a large firm?
Computing's 2026 benchmark reports a Harvey Nash average of £175,800 for a CTO. Harvey Nash's data, as Computing describes it, is focused on technology leaders at large corporate firms.
Why is the Indeed CTO average different?
Computing also reports an Indeed average of £76,250 from 270 UK CTO postings, checked on 6 to 13 February 2026. Computing describes that figure as job-board data, which picks up a wider set of advertised roles.
What does Hays publish for London?
In the 2026 Hays technology guide, a London FTSE 100 CTO is shown at £130,000 to £220,000, with a typical figure of £180,000. The same guide shows a London FTSE 250 CTO at £110,000 to £180,000, typical £135,000, and a London SME CTO at £100,000 to £140,000, typical £130,000.