Chief information officer (CIO) is a title organizations give to the manager who directs their information technology. Outside US federal agencies, the role has no statutory or standard definition, and its duties vary by employer. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics counts CIOs among computer and information systems managers. Federal law defines the CIO's duties at executive agencies.
What the Bureau of Labor Statistics says
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists chief information officer, chief technology officer and management information systems (MIS) director as other titles for computer and information systems managers. These managers plan, coordinate and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine its IT goals and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet them.
Duties BLS lists for the occupation include analyzing the organization's IT needs, establishing processes to detect, prevent and mitigate IT security threats, assessing the costs and benefits of new projects, and negotiating with and monitoring vendors. Job tasks and titles vary with the size and structure of the organization.
The occupation typically requires a bachelor's degree in computer science or information technology and related work experience. Some employers require or prefer a graduate degree.
The median annual wage for the whole occupation, not CIOs alone, was $175,140 in May 2025. BLS projects its employment to grow 16 percent from 2025 to 2035.
The CIO in US federal law
Section 5125 of Public Law 104-106, enacted February 10, 1996, replaced the agency "senior official" in 44 U.S.C. 3506 with a Chief Information Officer. The Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 is divisions D and E of that law.
Under 44 U.S.C. 3506, the head of each agency designates a Chief Information Officer who reports directly to the agency head.
Under 40 U.S.C. 11315, the CIO of an executive agency is responsible for advising the agency head so that IT is acquired and information resources are managed in line with federal policy and the agency head's priorities, for developing and maintaining a sound, secure and integrated IT architecture, and for promoting effective and efficient information resources management processes.
At the agencies listed in 31 U.S.C. 901(b), information resources management must be the CIO's primary duty. The CIO monitors the performance of the agency's IT programs and advises the agency head whether to continue, modify or terminate a program or project.
40 U.S.C. 11319, added by Public Law 113-291 in December 2014, requires covered agencies other than the Department of Defense to give the CIO a significant role in IT planning, programming, budgeting and execution decisions. Such an agency may not enter into an IT contract that its CIO has not reviewed and approved. The agency CIO approves the appointment of any component CIO.
44 U.S.C. 3603, added by the E-Government Act of 2002, establishes the Chief Information Officers Council. The Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget chairs it, and the CIOs of the 31 U.S.C. 901(b) agencies are members.
Executive Order 13833 of May 15, 2018 directed covered agencies to ensure that the CIO reports directly to the agency head and serves as the agency head's primary strategic advisor on the use of IT.
Sources
Checked November 5, 2026.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Computer and Information Systems Managers
- 44 U.S.C. 3506, Federal agency responsibilities (Legal Information Institute)
- 40 U.S.C. 11101, Definitions, with notes naming the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (Legal Information Institute)
- 40 U.S.C. 11315, Agency Chief Information Officer, with Executive Order 13833 (Legal Information Institute)
- 40 U.S.C. 11319, Resources, planning, and portfolio management (Legal Information Institute)
- 44 U.S.C. 3603, Chief Information Officers Council (Legal Information Institute)