The 2025 State Chief Data Officer Survey

State chief data officers are becoming essential leaders in digital governance, yet their roles, authority, and resources vary dramatically across states. The 2025 survey reveals that while many CDOs are responsible for enterprise-wide data strategy, they often lack dedicated budgets, formal authority, or consistent organizational structures. Collaboration, relationship-building, and cross-agency partnerships are emerging as the primary drivers of progress, especially in federated data environments. As AI, privacy, and data sharing demands grow, the effectiveness of statewide data leadership will depend on stronger support, clearer mandates, and sustained investment.