CCOs Gain Pay, Proximity, And Power In A Volatile Era

Chief Communications Officers are gaining influence, authority, and compensation as companies respond to political uncertainty, rapid technological change, and rising expectations from regulators, customers, and employees.

Korn Ferry’s 2025 survey of Fortune 500 communications leaders shows nearly half now report directly to the CEO, up from 40% in 2023, underscoring the role’s growing strategic importance. More than half of respondents sit on executive committees, marking a clear shift from communications as a support function to a leadership discipline tied to enterprise value.

That elevation is reflected in pay, with median base salaries now reaching $400,000 to $450,000 and total compensation commonly approaching $1 million. Nearly half of surveyed CCOs earn seven figures, while more than half manage budgets exceeding $5 million, signaling sustained investment in reputation and stakeholder management. Team structures vary widely, but most CCOs now oversee social, digital, crisis, and executive communications, with many mandates extending into public policy and marketing.

AI adoption is nearly universal, yet formal strategy lags, creating both opportunity and risk as boards look to communications leaders to help operationalize emerging tools responsibly. As scrutiny intensifies and trust becomes harder to earn, the modern CCO is increasingly positioned as a central architect of alignment between leadership, culture, and public perception.

Full story: AXIOS, Korn Ferry