Chief Technology Officer.
Richmond.
$284,000
median salary, 2% below the national average
$211,000 to $372,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Chief Technology Officers actually make in Richmond: $211,000 at the 25th percentile, $284,000 at the median, and $372,000 at the 75th. That is 2% below the national average. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $255,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$185,000
to $227,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$241,000
to $298,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$312,000
to $369,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$355,000
to $440,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $189,000 to the total package.
Base
$284,000
Equity
$102,000
Bonus
$64,000
Signing
$23,000
Estimated total: $473,000
How Richmond compares
Richmond, VA
$284,000
Cost of living: 1% above average
National Average
$290,000
Richmond is $6,000 below
Chief Technology Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Richmond
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Chief Technology Officer roles in Richmond, here is what you are walking into. Richmond combines a strong government and defense sector with growing technology and financial services industries. Capital One's headquarters drives significant fintech employment. The city's proximity to Washington DC creates spillover demand for federal contractors and tech workers seeking lower living costs. Technical domain expertise, company stage, and engineering team size are the primary drivers. CTOs managing teams of 100 or more engineers earn substantially more than those at smaller organizations. Specialization in AI, cloud infrastructure, or cybersecurity commands above-market premiums in the current talent landscape.
Directors of engineering earn $170,000 to $230,000. VPs of engineering advance to $220,000 to $300,000. CTOs at Series B to C startups make $250,000 to $330,000. CTOs at public tech companies or large enterprises reach $350,000 to $450,000 in base with total comp exceeding $1.5 million. In Richmond, 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. Equity compensation is typically the largest component, with CTOs at pre-IPO companies receiving grants worth $300,000 to $2 million annually. Cash bonuses of 25 to 40% of base and retention packages of $100,000 to $300,000 over two to three years are common. And on the tax side: virginia's top income tax rate is 5.75%. Richmond has no city income tax. The moderate rate and reasonable cost of living create solid net compensation. When someone quotes you $284,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage DC corridor salary benchmarks. Richmond employers compete with Northern Virginia and DC for talent, especially in fintech and government contracting. The range for Chief Technology Officers in Richmond runs from $211,000 to $372,000. 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 Algorithm Officer in Richmond earns $283,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Richmond is Chief AI Officer at $316,000
Common questions.
Chief Technology Officer salary in other cities
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