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As organizations increasingly value knowledge management, the role of the Chief Knowledge Officer (CKO) has gained prominence. The average salary for a CKO is approximately $110,262 per year, translating to about $53 per hour. Salaries vary based on numerous factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry sector.
For example, CKOs in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries compared to those in other regions. Additionally, CKOs with extensive experience—typically over ten years—can command salaries that exceed the average significantly.
Job titles closely related to the CKO role include Knowledge Management Director and Chief Information Officer, which also offer competitive salaries. Understanding these dynamics helps professionals navigate their career paths effectively, ensuring they are well-prepared for salary discussions and job applications.
For those aspiring to become a Chief Knowledge Officer, continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends are essential. This not only enhances earning potential but also positions individuals favorably within the job market.
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The highest-paying states for chief knowledge officers are New York, New Jersey, and Oregon. The lowest average chief knowledge officer salary states are Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $131,773 | $63.35 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $131,216 | $63.08 |
| 3 | North Dakota | $110,319 | $53.04 |
| 4 | Rhode Island | $114,941 | $55.26 |
| 5 | Wisconsin | $115,149 | $55.36 |
| 6 | Oregon | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| 7 | Nevada | $108,600 | $52.21 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $122,829 | $59.05 |
| 9 | Washington | $121,665 | $58.49 |
| 10 | Illinois | $124,719 | $59.96 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $117,095 | $56.30 |
| 12 | Idaho | $104,276 | $50.13 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $107,903 | $51.88 |
| 14 | Texas | $110,559 | $53.15 |
| 15 | Michigan | $108,755 | $52.29 |
| 16 | Maine | $102,633 | $49.34 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $102,403 | $49.23 |
| 18 | Alaska | $117,887 | $56.68 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $104,853 | $50.41 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $103,195 | $49.61 |
| 21 | Delaware | $110,373 | $53.06 |
| 22 | Georgia | $100,095 | $48.12 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $104,478 | $50.23 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $102,145 | $49.11 |
| 25 | Virginia | $99,735 | $47.95 |
| 26 | California | $117,427 | $56.46 |
| 27 | Arizona | $96,457 | $46.37 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $95,563 | $45.94 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $93,263 | $44.84 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $96,728 | $46.50 |
| 31 | Maryland | $96,588 | $46.44 |
| 32 | Vermont | $94,825 | $45.59 |
| 33 | Kansas | $98,369 | $47.29 |
| 34 | Colorado | $93,818 | $45.10 |
| 35 | South Dakota | $92,846 | $44.64 |
| 36 | Mississippi | $91,180 | $43.84 |
| 37 | Montana | $97,753 | $47.00 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $94,745 | $45.55 |
| 39 | Utah | $96,837 | $46.56 |
| 40 | Ohio | $93,900 | $45.14 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $96,210 | $46.25 |
| 42 | Iowa | $91,550 | $44.01 |
| 43 | Alabama | $89,632 | $43.09 |
| 44 | Missouri | $95,851 | $46.08 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $92,540 | $44.49 |
| 46 | Florida | $76,779 | $36.91 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $89,512 | $43.03 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $92,240 | $44.35 |
| 49 | Indiana | $91,494 | $43.99 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $89,165 | $42.87 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $50,961 | $24.50 |
The highest-paying cities for chief knowledge officers are Islip, NY, San Jose, CA, and Olympia, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islip, NY | $133,483 | $64.17 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $123,434 | $59.34 |
| 3 | Olympia, WA | $122,097 | $58.70 |
| 4 | Oakton, VA | $101,764 | $48.92 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $100,268 | $48.21 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $96,844 | $46.56 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $96,274 | $46.29 |
| 8 | Miami, FL | $68,824 | $33.09 |
A chief knowledge officer's salary ranges from $67,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $180,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $180,000 | $15,000 | $87 |
| 75th Percentile | $142,000 | $11,833 | $68 |
| Average | $110,262 | $9,189 | $53 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $7,083 | $41 |
| 10th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
The highest paying types of chief knowledge officers are president/chief executive officer, executive vice president, and president & chief operating officer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice President & General Manager | $172,487 | $14,374 | $82.93 | 252,313 |
| Division Director | $120,757 | $10,063 | $58.06 | 63,545 |
| Managing Director | $129,690 | $10,808 | $62.35 | 81,022 |
| Deputy Director | $100,190 | $8,349 | $48.17 | 41,439 |
| Vice President | $158,637 | $13,220 | $76.27 | 119,530 |
| Group Vice President | $167,679 | $13,973 | $80.61 | 51,499 |
Top companies hiring chief knowledge officers now:
Chief knowledge officer salaries at McKinsey & Company Inc and Prs are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average chief knowledge officer salary at companies like Droga5 and Ascension Michigan are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | McKinsey & Company Inc | $162,657 | $78.20 |
| 2 | Prs | $138,813 | $66.74 |
| 3 | Droga5 | $124,046 | $59.64 |
| 4 | Ascension Michigan | $112,150 | $53.92 |
| 5 | Knowde | $109,412 | $52.60 |
| 6 | Humana | $103,981 | $49.99 |
| 7 | Leidos | $84,255 | $40.51 |
| 8 | UnitedHealth Group | $81,168 | $39.02 |
| 9 | Australian International School | $58,377 | $28.07 |
The average chief knowledge officer salary has risen by $24,175 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average chief knowledge officer earned $86,087 annually, but today, they earn $110,262 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for chief knowledge officers over the last decade.
Compare chief knowledge officer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare chief knowledge officer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $110,000 | $53.01 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $107,000 | $51.33 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $104,000 | $49.99 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $102,000 | $48.83 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $99,100 | $47.63 | +3.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franciscan Ministries | Chief Mission Integration and Pastoral Care Officer | Lemont, IL | 06/10/2025 | $120,000 |
| Trail Life USA | Chief Growth Officer | Belton, SC | 05/07/2025 | $100,000 |
| Trossen Robotics | Chief Growth Officer | Downers Grove, IL | 03/28/2025 | $120,000 |
| Bancroft | Chief External Affairs and Philanthropy Officer | Cherry Hill, NJ | 03/06/2025 | $200,000 |
| City of Philadelphia | Chief Digital Innovation Officer | Philadelphia, PA | 03/02/2025 | $165,000 |
| BGB Group | Chief Commercial Officer | New York, NY | 02/21/2025 | $300,000 |
| Regeneron | Chief GMP Data Integrity Officer | Troy, NY | 02/19/2025 | $196,100 |
| I Ap2 USA | Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer | Ione, OR | 02/19/2025 | $176,142 |
| AES Group | Maximo, Chief Commercial Officer | Arlington, VA | 02/18/2025 | $26,505 |
| Nola Public Schools | Chief Enrollment Officer | New Orleans, LA | 02/18/2025 | $135,000 |
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