What is the entry level Chief Data Officer salary in Salt Lake City?

Entry level Chief Data Officer positions in Salt Lake City start near $191,000. Candidates with strong backgrounds negotiate toward $255,000.

What certifications help Chief Data Officers earn more in Salt Lake City?

Certifications add 5 to 15% to Chief Data Officer salaries in Salt Lake City. They help bridge the gap between the median of $255,000 and the 75th percentile of $333,000.

What is the career path for a Chief Data Officer?

Directors of data science or analytics earn $165,000 to $220,000. Salt Lake City's COL multiplier amplifies compensation at senior levels.

Should I relocate to Salt Lake City for a Chief Data Officer role?

Salt Lake City's cost of living is below the national average. Calculate take home pay after housing and taxes before relocating for a Chief Data Officer role.

Chief Data Officer.

Q: What is the average Chief Data Officer salary in Salt Lake City?

The average Chief Data Officer salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $255,000 in 2026. The 25th percentile is $191,000 and the 75th percentile is $333,000.

Salt Lake City.

$255,000

median salary, 2% below the national average

$191,000 to $333,000. Updated for 2026.

Get your playbook

The numbers.

Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.

Salt Lake City is 2% cheaper than the national average. For Chief Data Officers, that shakes out to a median of $255,000, with the full range spanning $191,000 to $333,000. Data maturity of the organization, regulatory complexity, and whether the CDO drives revenue versus compliance create wide pay variance. Know the range before you walk in.

Salary range

25th Percentile

$191,000

per year

Median

$255,000

per year

75th Percentile

$333,000

per year

Tap to place your salary

$191,000$333,000

How Salt Lake City compares

Salt Lake City, UT

$255,000

Cost of living: 2% below average

National Average

$260,000

Salt Lake City is $5,000 below

What you should know

The Chief Data Officer landscape in Salt Lake City is not what most salary sites will tell you. Salt Lake City anchors the Silicon Slopes tech corridor, home to companies like Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and Domo. The region has attracted significant venture investment and tech relocations. Utah's business friendly environment, young educated workforce, and outdoor lifestyle make it a rising destination for tech professionals seeking affordability without sacrificing career growth. 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 Salt Lake City, 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: utah has a flat 4.65% state income tax. Salt Lake City imposes no additional city income tax. The moderate rate combined with affordable living costs results in strong net compensation. When someone quotes you $255,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.

On negotiation: Reference Silicon Slopes growth when negotiating. Local employers are increasingly matching 85 to 95% of Seattle or Bay Area salaries to compete for tech talent. The range for Chief Data Officers in Salt Lake City runs from $191,000 to $333,000. 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 Salt Lake City

Technology & SaaSHealthcareFinancial ServicesOutdoor RecreationAerospace

Negotiating in Salt Lake City

Reference Silicon Slopes growth when negotiating. Local employers are increasingly matching 85 to 95% of Seattle or Bay Area salaries to compete for tech talent.

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.

In 2026, the average Chief Data Officer salary in Salt Lake City, UT is $255,000. The 25th percentile sits at $191,000 and the 75th percentile reaches $333,000. Where you land depends on your experience, the company's size, and the specific skills you bring.

Entry level Chief Data Officer positions in Salt Lake City typically start near $191,000. Candidates with relevant internships, certifications, or portfolio work often negotiate closer to the median of $255,000. Directors of data science or analytics earn $165,000 to $220,000.

Relevant certifications can add 5 to 15% to a Chief Data Officer's base salary in Salt Lake City. Specifically, data maturity of the organization, regulatory complexity, and whether the cdo drives revenue versus compliance create wide pay variance. In a market where the range spans $191,000 to $333,000, certifications often bridge the gap between the 50th and 75th percentile.

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 Salt Lake City, each step up the ladder is amplified by the local cost of living multiplier, which means senior roles pay proportionally more than in lower cost markets.

Salt Lake City's cost of living is near the national average. Salt Lake City anchors the Silicon Slopes tech corridor, home to companies like Qualtrics, Pluralsight, and Domo. Calculate your actual take home pay after housing, taxes, and transportation before deciding. A $255,000 salary here buys a different lifestyle than the same number in another market.