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Chief technology officer

Also called CTO, IT director, chief digital officer

Chief technology officers contribute to a company's technical vision and lead all aspects of technology development, according to its strategic direction and growth objectives. They match technology with business needs.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects57 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Production and specialized services managersWhat does it pay?Well above averageFrom about €3,000 (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Production and specialized services managersWhat do I need to study?Usually a degree6 in 10 have a degree.Production and specialized services managersWill AI change it?ModeratelyLevel 4 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.ICT service managers · ILO

What you'd do

ICT service managers · ILO
  • Consulting with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements and specifying technology to meet those needs
  • Formulating and directing information and communication technology (ICT) strategies, policies and plans
  • Directing the selection and installation of ICT resources and the provision of user training
  • Directing ICT operations, analysing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines
  • Overseeing the security of ICT systems
  • Assigning, reviewing, managing and leading the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers
  • Evaluating the organization's technology use and needs and recommending improvements such as hardware and software upgrades
  • Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources
  • Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures
  • Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff
  • Representing the enterprise or organization at ICT related conventions, seminars and conferences
Define technology strategyCoordinate technological activitiesLead technology development of an organisationMonitor technology trendsMonitor ICT research+ 12 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • Sitting most of the day
  • Constant contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Computer and Information Systems Managers"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as production and specialized services managers in the EU
3.46m3.53m4.8m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
1,045,000 new jobs 1,100,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Production and specialized services managers57
All jobs29
Right now
7 of 27 countries report a shortage of ICT service managers, 4 a surplus.
ICT service managers · EURES

What does it pay?

Well above average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €3,000 a month (Bulgaria) to €11,300 (Italy), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among managers in the EU, women earn 27% less per hour than men. Managers · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually a degree

A degree in software and applications development and analysis is the usual route.

Highest qualification of production and specialized services managers (EU, 2025)
Degree 63%Vocational 22%General secondary 8%Basic schooling 7%
Fields that teach it
Software and applications development and analysis · Management and administration
Vocational route, EU
4 in 10 trainees in this field
ICT graduates in a matching job
77% in the EU

887 institutions in the EU offer ICT bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Moderately

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.44 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 11 tasks
Evaluating the organization's technology use and needs and recommending improvements such as hardware and software upgrades0.56
Overseeing the security of ICT systems0.51
Directing ICT operations, analysing workflow, establishing priorities, developing standards and setting deadlines0.51
Directing the selection and installation of ICT resources and the provision of user training0.47
Establishing and directing operational and administrative procedures0.44
Formulating and directing information and communication technology (ICT) strategies, policies and plans0.44
Consulting with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements and specifying technology to meet those needs0.43
Establishing and managing budgets, controlling expenditure and ensuring the efficient use of resources0.43
Representing the enterprise or organization at ICT related conventions, seminars and conferences0.40
Assigning, reviewing, managing and leading the work of systems analysts, programmers, and other computer-related workers0.35
Overseeing the selection, training and performance of staff0.31

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for ICT service managers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).