Data, AI, and Analytics leaders are being asked to do more than ever before.

Many executives now influence business strategy, organizational transformation, investment decisions, and enterprise AI initiatives alongside their traditional responsibilities. Yet few have reliable visibility into how peer organizations are defining these roles, assigning responsibilities, or compensating leaders with comparable scope.

That lack of visibility is exactly why CDO Magazine and Burtch Works launched the 2026 Data, AI & Analytics Executive Benchmark Survey. We invite Data, AI, and Analytics leaders to participate and help shape a clearer picture of how these roles are evolving across organizations. 

The survey is designed to help leaders benchmark:

• Compensation and total rewards
• Executive scope and responsibilities
• Organizational influence and decision-making authority
• Reporting structures
• AI ownership and accountability
• How leadership roles are evolving across the market

Why Participate? (What’s in It for You?)

The role of the Data, AI, and Analytics executive is changing rapidly, but reliable benchmarking data for these leadership positions remains limited.

By participating, you will gain access to insights that can help you better understand your market value, evaluate how your organization compares to peers, and make more informed decisions about your career and leadership strategy.

Participants will receive early access to aggregated survey findings, including:

Benchmark Your Market Value

Gain visibility into compensation ranges, total rewards, and executive responsibilities for comparable Data, AI, and Analytics leadership roles. Use these insights to help inform compensation discussions, promotion conversations, and long-term career planning.

Understand How Peer Organizations Are Structured

See how organizations are defining leadership responsibilities, reporting relationships, team structures, and decision-making authority across data, analytics, and AI functions.

Gain Insight into AI Ownership and Accountability

Learn where responsibility for AI strategy, governance, investment, and execution sits across peer organizations as leaders continue to expand their scope.

Support Organizational Planning

Use benchmark data to help inform discussions around staffing, organizational design, budget planning, leadership responsibilities, and executive influence.

Receive Early Access to the Findings

Participants will receive early access to the final report before broader public distribution.

Your Privacy Is Protected

All responses will remain confidential and will only be reported in aggregate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should participate?

This survey is intended for Data, AI, Analytics, and Information leaders at the Vice President level and above who have enterprise-level responsibility for data, analytics, AI, governance, or related functions.

Examples include Chief Data Officers (CDOs), Chief Data & Analytics Officers (CDAOs), Chief Data & AI Officers (CDAIOs), Chief Analytics Officers (CAOs), Chief Information Officers (CIOs), VP of Data & Analytics, VP, Artificial Intelligence, and other executive leaders with comparable responsibilities.

How long does the survey take to complete?

Most respondents can complete the survey in approximately 10–15 minutes.

Will my responses remain confidential?

Yes. We recognize that compensation and organizational data are highly sensitive.

• The survey is administered through Typeform, a trusted third-party survey platform. The survey does not collect or store IP addresses. The only personally identifiable information requested is an email address, which is entirely optional and provided at the respondent’s discretion.
• Survey findings will be reported only in aggregate form, and no company-specific or individual compensation information will be published.
• Information collected through this survey is used exclusively for development of the 2026 Data, AI & Analytics Executive Compensation Report and will never be sold or shared for commercial purposes.

How will the survey data be used?

Survey responses will be used to create benchmark insights on executive compensation, reporting structures, organizational influence, AI ownership, and the evolving responsibilities of Data, AI, and Analytics leaders.

What will participants receive?

Participants will receive early access to the final benchmark report, along with aggregated findings related to compensation, reporting structures, organizational influence, AI ownership, and leadership trends.

Can I participate if my title is not Chief Data Officer?

Yes. Organizations use a variety of titles for senior data and AI leaders. If you have executive-level responsibility for data, analytics, AI, governance, or related functions, your participation is welcome.

Why is this survey important?

Reliable benchmarking data for Data, AI, and Analytics leadership roles remains limited. This survey is designed to provide greater visibility into compensation, organizational structure, AI ownership, executive influence, and leadership trends across the market.

Who is conducting the survey?

This survey is being conducted jointly by CDO Magazine and Burtch Works.

• CDO Magazine is a global publication and executive community serving leaders across data, analytics, AI, and cybersecurity. Through thought leadership, research, and executive events, CDO Magazine helps connect senior leaders, share practical insights, and foster conversations around the opportunities and challenges shaping modern organizations. Its community includes executives from many of the world’s leading enterprises who are helping define the future of data- and AI-driven transformation.
• Burtch Works is a recruiting and compensation benchmarking firm specializing in Data, Analytics, AI, and technology leadership roles. For more than a decade, the firm has published compensation studies and market insights that help organizations and professionals better understand evolving roles, compensation trends, and talent needs across the data and AI landscape. Through its work with both employers and leaders in the field, Burtch Works brings a unique perspective on how organizations are structuring, compensating, and growing Data, Analytics, and AI teams.

Together, CDO Magazine and Burtch Works launched this benchmarking initiative to help the Data, AI, and Analytics leadership community gain greater visibility into how these roles are evolving and how organizations are structuring, compensating, and empowering their leaders.

When will the results be available?

Participants will receive information regarding report availability and access to aggregated findings following completion of the benchmarking analysis.

Can I share the survey with colleagues?

Yes. We encourage sharing the survey with qualified Data, AI, and Analytics leaders who may contribute valuable perspectives to the benchmark.

Participate in the Survey

Add your perspective and help shape a clearer picture of how Data, AI, and Analytics leadership is evolving.

Complete the 2026 Executive Benchmark Survey and add your perspective to the benchmark.