Chief Technology Officer vs Growth Manager: Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Chief Technology Officer
Lead technology strategy and oversee all technical operations at the C-suite level.
Growth Manager
Drive user acquisition and retention through data-driven experiments across channels.
Chief Technology Officer earns more on average — the national median is $203,515/year (258%) higher than a Growth Manager. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Chief Technology Officer vs Growth Manager — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Chief Technology Officer | Growth Manager | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $415,309 | $112,899 | Chief +$302,410 |
| New York, NY | $336,860 | $94,483 | Chief +$242,377 |
| Seattle, WA | $408,302 | $102,170 | Chief +$306,132 |
| Austin, TX | $311,588 | $88,688 | Chief +$222,900 |
| Chicago, IL | $298,064 | $85,657 | Chief +$212,407 |
| Boston, MA | $367,846 | $103,069 | Chief +$264,777 |
| London, UK | £225,366 | £60,520 | Chief +$164,846 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$365,223 | CA$107,500 | Chief +$257,723 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Chief Technology Officer or Growth Manager earn more?+
A Chief Technology Officer earns more on average. The national median salary for a Chief Technology Officer is $282,275/year, compared to $78,760/year for a Growth Manager — a difference of $203,515 (258%).
Which has better career growth — Chief Technology Officer or Growth Manager?+
Chief Technology Officer roles are growing at 18% YoY while Growth Manager demand is growing at 28% YoY. Growth Manager has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Chief Technology Officer to Growth Manager?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: analytical thinking, communication, and industry knowledge.
Which is harder to automate — Chief Technology Officer or Growth Manager?+
Chief Technology Officer has a lower AI automation risk (18% vs 35%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.