Survey: Female CIOs Earn More Than Male Counterparts

CIOs and other senior HIT executives made on average a base salary of $235,806 in 2018, according to a survey of College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) members. Women earned about $30,000 more than their male counterparts, and members with medical degrees commanded salaries well above the average.

“In many organizations, the CIO is a strategic partner who works across the health care system to improve health and care,” says D. Sheree McFarland, a member of the CHIME Board of Trustees and Division CIO of the West Florida Division of HCA Healthcare. “We are valued for our leadership skills and our ability to collaborate with everyone, from the CEO to clinicians to the finance department. As a member of Women of CHIME, it is rewarding to see that gender is not a barrier to equitable pay and that both our women and men members are recognized for their contributions.”

CHIME conducted the survey in late 2018, asking US-based members to answer multiple choice questions that included demographics, job structure, organization type, base salary and benefits, job satisfaction, and more. All responses were anonymous. A total of 266 CHIME members completed the survey, which represents about 11% of CHIME’s domestic membership.  

In 2012, CHIME members participated in a similar survey. Overall, the 2018 survey showed an uptick in average base salaries, with most respondents satisfied or very satisfied with their total compensation and current job.

Among the key findings are the following:

• The average base salary was $235,806 in 2018 vs $208,417 in 2012.
• On average, women made $257,340 while men averaged $228,217.
• 18% of respondents reported that they received no increase to their salary for 2018.
• Almost 75% of respondents said that they were very satisfied or satisfied with their current jobs.
• Those who reported to be very satisfied with their total compensation had an average salary of $302,731 while those who said they were very unsatisfied had an average salary of $168,857.
• Some 6% of respondents reported having medical degrees and earned about 60% more than those with master’s degrees.
• Those who were at a facility with one to 25 beds reported an average salary of $136,183 while those at facilities with 400 to 699 beds had average salaries of $299,302.

For purposes of the survey, base salary was defined as what respondents are paid on an annual basis, before deductions for taxes, health, and other types of insurance, other employment-related deductions and retirement fund contributions. Base salary also excludes any form of bonus payments received, which often represents a significant component of executive compensation. Over 95% of respondents said that they receive paid time off and health benefits and 70% received bonus payments.

— Source: The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives