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Technology

CTO salary in Technology startups in 2026

How much does a CTO expect to make in Technology startups? The average expected salary for CTOs in Technology startups is 100k per year, with a range from 47k to 205k. These amounts were gathered from Wellfound self-reported data and represent the median salary range. The salary range for CTOs in Technology startup varies depending on factors such as location, experience, skills, and startup stage.

99.5k

Average Salary

5 years

Average years of experience

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Salary

By quarter
The average salary for a CTO in Technology startups is $99,528, which is 12.4% lower than the average salary of $113,583 in Technology startups. CTO salaries in Technology are based on exclusive Wellfound data. All data is updated on a weekly basis. Factors that may influence salary include: location, years of experience, title, size of company, and skill-set.

Top of market

$154,722/yr

Range $115k - $205k

Average

$99,528/yr

Range $47k - $165k

Below Average

$70,014/yr

Range $47k - $100k


Top Locations

The highest average salary a CTO in Technology can get in San Francisco Bay Area, that is $160,000. This pay is 60.8% higher than the average CTO salary in Technology startups, which is $99,528. Salaries will vary based on your location. The top-paying markets in the US, on average, are currently: San Francisco Bay Area (avg $160,000 per year), London (avg $90,000 per year). Remote jobs often pay based on the location you reside in.

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Years of experience

Below Average

Average

Top of Market

The highest average salary a CTO in Technology can get with 10+ years of experience, that is $97,000. This pay is 14.6% lower than the average salary in Technology startups, which is $113,583. The salary range varies with years of experience and depends on other factors such as skill set, size of company, and industry.