How to become a CIO

What does a CIO do?

CIOs combine IT and business skills to help businesses thrive. They typically form part of a company or organization's executive team and are tasked with helping to make important decisions about how the company uses information and computer technologies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, chief executives, including CIOs earned a median annual salary of $206,680 in 2023.

Steps to become a CIO

Here are a few steps you can consider to become a CIO:

Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree

Most CIOs start their education with a bachelor's degree. Degrees in computer engineering information technology can help you build the foundational IT knowledge you will need down the line.

Step 2: Gain experience in IT

On your path to becoming a CIO, you'll likely perform various roles. You might start out as a systems administrator, IT support specialist, or even a software developer. You must gain technical experience and skills before you move on to leadership roles.

Step 3: Consider a master's degree

Many CIOs choose to pursue a master's degree in business to help them hone their business and technology acumen.

Master's of business administration programs (MBA) are a common choice, although some people choose a masters in information technology or systems to advance their technology and strategic planning skills.

Step 4: Grow your management and leadership skills

Once you have some experience under your belt, you'll want to look for opportunities to grow your leadership skills.

Seek out opportunities to lead a small team as an IT or project manager so that you can practice and hone your management skills.

As you learn and grow, you might be able to move into senior IT roles like IT director, vice president of IT, or chief technology officer (CTO).

Step 5: Keep learning as you build your network

Continuous learning is an important part of progressing to the role of CIO. As you build your career, you'll want to look for ways to learn and network. Attending conferences, finding a mentor, taking short courses, and attending networking events are all great ways to keep learning and growing throughout your career.