How much do Chief Data Officers make in Minneapolis compared to the national average?

The national median Chief Data Officer salary is $260,000. In Minneapolis, COL adjustments bring the median to $273,000.

What is the average Chief Data Officer salary in Minneapolis?

The average Chief Data Officer salary in Minneapolis, MN is $273,000 in 2026. The 25th percentile is $205,000 and the 75th percentile is $357,000.

Is remote work affecting Chief Data Officer salaries in Minneapolis?

Remote work is compressing geographic salary premiums for Chief Data Officers. Minneapolis's range of $205,000 to $357,000 reflects both remote and in office positions.

What should I ask about benefits when interviewing for a Chief Data Officer in Minneapolis?

Ask about equity, bonuses, 401(k), health insurance, PTO, and remote flexibility. Benefits in Minneapolis can add $68,250+ to base salary.

Chief Data Officer.

Minneapolis.

$273,000

median salary, 5% above the national average

$205,000 to $357,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Chief Data Officer pay in Minneapolis ranges from $205,000 to $357,000 in 2026. The median is $273,000, 5% above the national average. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$205,000

per year

Median

$273,000

per year

75th Percentile

$357,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$205,000$357,000

How Minneapolis compares

Minneapolis, MN

$273,000

Cost of living: 5% above average

National Average

$260,000

Minneapolis is $13,000 above

What you should know

If you are interviewing for Chief Data Officer roles in Minneapolis, here is what you are walking into. Minneapolis is a Fortune 500 powerhouse with Target, UnitedHealth Group, Best Buy, and 3M headquartered in the metro. The city's strong corporate base creates consistent demand across finance, healthcare, retail tech, and supply chain roles. Quality of life is high, and employers offer competitive salaries to offset the cold winters. 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 Minneapolis, 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: minnesota's top income tax rate is 9.85%, one of the highest state rates. There is no city income tax in Minneapolis, but the state burden significantly reduces take home pay. When someone quotes you $273,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat. The range for Chief Data Officers in Minneapolis runs from $205,000 to $357,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.

Top industries in Minneapolis

Retail & E-CommerceHealthcareFinancial ServicesFood & AgricultureManufacturing

Negotiating in Minneapolis

Emphasize retention risk when negotiating. Minneapolis employers know that remote opportunities from warmer, lower tax states are a constant competitive threat.

Common questions.

In regulated industries like financial services and healthcare, CDOs focus heavily on data governance, privacy compliance, and audit readiness, commanding steady but moderate compensation. In unregulated tech companies, CDOs who drive data monetization and AI product strategy earn 20 to 30% more.

The CDO role is expanding rather than contracting. AI adoption has elevated data strategy to a board-level priority, making standalone CDO positions more common. Companies with dedicated CDOs report faster AI deployment timelines, which justifies the investment in a separate C-suite data leader.

The national median for a Chief Data Officer is $260,000. In Minneapolis, cost of living adjustments push the median to $273,000. That premium reflects Minneapolis's higher housing, transportation, and everyday costs.

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. In Minneapolis's market, the base range of $205,000 to $357,000 is just the starting point for negotiation.

In 2026, the average Chief Data Officer salary in Minneapolis, MN is $273,000. The 25th percentile sits at $205,000 and the 75th percentile reaches $357,000. Where you land depends on your experience, the company's size, and the specific skills you bring.

Remote work has compressed geographic salary premiums for Chief Data Officers. Some Minneapolis employers offer location adjusted pay, while others maintain local rates to attract in office talent. In Minneapolis's moderate cost market, remote and local salaries are converging. The $205,000 to $357,000 range reflects both arrangements.

Ask about equity structure, vesting schedule, annual bonus targets, 401(k) match, health insurance premiums, PTO policy, and remote flexibility. Annual bonuses of 20 to 35% of base tied to data quality metrics, AI initiative success, and compliance milestones are standard. In Minneapolis's market, these extras can add $68,250 or more on top of the base salary.