AI Boom Elevates CTO and CHRO Pay in Public Companies

March 19, 2026
A report from PR Newswire shows that Chief Technology Officers and Chief Human Resources Officers have become more common among the top-paid executives at public companies, reflecting the growing importance of technology and talent management during the AI boom.

Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) are increasingly among the highest-paid executives at public companies, according to PR Newswire. From 2021 to 2025, the number of CTOs named as Named Executive Officers (NEOs) in the Russell 3000 rose by 61%, while CHROs increased by 55%.

The report attributes these shifts to the growing importance of digital transformation and workforce management. Meanwhile, business unit leaders saw a 15% decline in representation among top-paid executives over the same period. Legal roles also gained prominence, rising 21% as boards placed greater emphasis on governance and compliance.

Among S&P 500 companies, gender pay data showed that female Chief Marketing Officers earned nearly 40% more than their male counterparts in 2025. However, male NEOs overall continued to earn more than female NEOs—8% more in the S&P 500 and 12% more in the Russell 3000.

Median NEO compensation increased by 8% in the Russell 3000 from 2024 to 2025, compared with a 5% rise in the S&P 500. Large-cap companies focused pay increases on roles connected to enterprise-wide risk and control, particularly CHROs and Chief Legal Officers.

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