Chief Data Officer.
Tampa.
$242,000
median salary, 7% below the national average
$182,000 to $317,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
A Chief Data Officer in Tampa earns a median of $242,000 in 2026. That is 7% below the national average. The range runs from $182,000 to $317,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Data maturity of the organization, regulatory complexity, and whether the CDO drives revenue versus compliance create wide pay variance.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $218,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$157,000
to $194,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$206,000
to $254,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$266,000
to $315,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$303,000
to $375,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $153,000 to the total package.
Base
$242,000
Equity
$82,000
Bonus
$52,000
Signing
$19,000
Estimated total: $395,000
How Tampa compares
Tampa, FL
$242,000
Cost of living: 4% below average
National Average
$260,000
Tampa is $18,000 below
Chief Data Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Tampa
What you should know
The Chief Data Officer landscape in Tampa is not what most salary sites will tell you. Tampa's economy combines a strong financial services sector with growing tech, healthcare, and defense industries. The city has attracted remote workers and corporate relocations seeking Florida's tax advantages. Tampa offers a favorable salary to cost of living ratio, with compensation levels that have risen significantly as the metro continues to grow. Data maturity of the organization, regulatory complexity, and whether the CDO drives revenue versus compliance create wide pay variance. CDOs at companies monetizing data assets or building AI-powered products earn significantly more than those focused primarily on governance and regulatory compliance activities.
Directors of data science or analytics earn $165,000 to $220,000. VPs of data advance to $210,000 to $280,000. CDOs at mid-market companies make $240,000 to $310,000. CDOs at large enterprises or data-intensive tech companies reach $320,000 to $400,000 with total comp of $500,000 to $1.2 million. In Tampa, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 20 to 35% of base tied to data quality metrics, AI initiative success, and compliance milestones are standard. Equity grants at tech companies add $150,000 to $600,000 in annualized value. Some CDOs negotiate dedicated data infrastructure budgets. And on the tax side: florida has no state income tax, which is Tampa's biggest compensation advantage. There are no local income taxes either. Property taxes and insurance costs are the main financial considerations. When someone quotes you $242,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Frame your salary expectations against the no income tax benefit. Tampa employers know candidates are factoring in the tax savings, so be explicit about how it shapes your number. The range for Chief Data Officers in Tampa runs from $182,000 to $317,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Chief Marketing Officer in Tampa earns $240,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Tampa is Chief AI Officer at $295,000
Common questions.
Chief Data Officer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Tampa
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.