Salary report · US · 2026
VP of Information Technology Salary
The average VP of IT salary is $167,125 per year in the United States in 2026. Base pay runs from $119,000 at the 10th percentile to $220,000 at the 90th, with a median of $167,000. Bonuses add $5,000–$49,000, putting total pay between roughly $123,000 and $248,000.
Definition & distribution
What is the average vp of information technology salary?
A VP of information technology earns an average base salary of $167,125 per year in the US as of 2026. It is an executive role owning technology strategy, so even the 10th percentile starts high, at $119,000, with a large bonus component on top.
The 10th percentile at $119,000 is 29% below the $167,000 median, while the 90th at $220,000 is 32% above it. Bonuses are large at this level — up to $49,000 — so total pay for top VPs runs well above base.
Known limitations. This record is built on 1,491 salary profiles (last updated May 2026). The median is reliable; base figures exclude equity, common in executive roles.
Pay components
How is vp of information technology total pay structured?
Reported total compensation for VPs of IT has two consistent components: base salary and a large annual bonus. Equity is common at this level but reported unevenly.
| Component | Low | High | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $119,000 | $220,000 | Dense around the $167k median |
| Annual bonus | $5,000 | $49,000 | Up to ~22% of top-end base |
| Total pay | $123,000 | $248,000 | Excludes unreported equity |
Pay by experience
How does experience change a vp of information technology salary?
The VP of IT curve is flat — it is an executive title reached late. Reported early figures sit below average and converge slowly, with late-career only about 5% above.
- 01
Early to mid career: −29% to −14%
Newly appointed VPs, often stepping up from director-level roles.
- 02
Experienced: −2% of average
Pay sits essentially at the role average as VPs establish their scope.
- 03
Late career: +5% over average
The top of the range, held by VPs at larger organizations. Beyond it lies the CIO/CTO track.
Skills
Which skills affect a vp of information technology salary?
Reported skills split into three tiers. IT management is the baseline; strategy and security command a premium; and executive leadership defines the role.
- 01
IT management — the baseline
IT management and operations management appear across profiles. They are expected of the role.
- 02
Strategy & security — the premium tier
Strategic planning and IT security & infrastructure map to higher-paying roles.
- 03
Executive leadership — the promotion tier
Leadership and business strategy are what carry pay toward CIO and CTO roles.
Geography
Where do vp of information technologys earn the most?
Reported profiles concentrate in large metros with dense corporate headquarters and financial-services demand.
| Metro | Market character | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | Finance & enterprise HQs | Top of range; highest cost of living |
| Dallas, TX | Corporate HQs | Good pay-to-cost ratio |
| Atlanta, GA | Enterprise & fintech | Growing market |
| Jersey City, NJ | Finance & enterprise | High pay, high cost of living |
| Chicago, IL | Enterprise & fintech | Diversified demand |
Check your pay
Where does your salary fall?
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Raising your pay
How can vp of information technologys increase their salary?
Three mechanisms reliably move VP of IT pay, in descending order of effect:
- 01
Lead a larger organization
Company size and technology scope set the ceiling for this executive role.
- 02
Move toward CIO/CTO
The C-suite is where pay continues past the VP title.
- 03
Change employers
External executive offers, especially in finance, re-price VPs to market and add equity.
FAQ
VP of Information Technology salary: FAQ
About $220,000 per year at the 90th percentile of base pay. With bonuses of up to $49,000, top-end total compensation reaches roughly $248,000 — before equity.
About $119,000 per year at the 10th percentile of base pay. Even the low end is high, because it is an executive role.
Most reliably by leading larger organizations, moving toward CIO/CTO roles, and changing employers for executive packages.
Yes, and they are large. Reported annual bonuses range from about $5,000 to $49,000, bringing total pay to between roughly $123,000 and $248,000 per year, before equity.
Reliable at the median, built on 1,491 salary profiles reported to PayScale (updated May 2026). Base figures exclude equity.
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