The chief municipal officer (CMO) is important being the administrative head of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the smaller municipalities. The CMO is a Career appointed by the state government. In this role, the officer is responsible for the implementation of the urbanization and urban development schemes. Also he/she has all duties normally delevolted to manage daily activities of the running of the municipality. The chief municipal officer is the connection of the elected municipal council and the separation of municipal administration from councilors and elected members.
The CMO also has jurisdiction in other departments as also subordinate departments including sanitation for children, water supply, public works, and revenue collection. Because the CMO is the first executive in the municipality, he/she is therefore, the head of municipal governance and public service delivery authority and also the head of public and civic administration structure.
Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) Pay Scale – 2025
The Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) is a Group ‘A’ officer in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The CMO is responsible for municipal governance, administration and service delivery. The CMO is paid according to the 7th Central Pay Commission pay scales based on government of India guidelines, which differ based on classification of municipality, state cadre rules, or seniority.
1. Basic Pay Scale
Component | Details (2025) |
Pay Scale | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month (Level 10–13) |
Pay Matrix Level | Usually Level 10 (entry-level) to Level 13 (senior level) |
Applicable Cadre | Group A (State Civil Services / Local Body Appointees) |
Clarification:
- The base pay for entry-level CMOs is ₹56,100/month.
- At the senior CMO level the maximum is ₹1,77,500/month in major metropolitan cities or Class-I municipalities.
- Promotions and experience leads to a greater level of pay within the matrix.
2. Grade Pay (as per 6th CPC structure for reference)
Post Type | Typical Grade Pay | Applicable When: |
Junior/Entry-Level CMO | ₹4,400 – ₹5,400 | Class-III/Nagar Parishads or smaller ULBs |
Senior-Level CMO | ₹6,600 or more | Class-I/Nagar Nigams or large cities |
Though Grade Pay is absorbed under the 7th CPC matrix, it's still used in some states for determining seniority and pension.
3. Entry-Level & Maximum Salary
Career Stage | Basic Pay | Total Monthly Salary (Est.) |
Entry-Level CMO | ₹56,100 | ₹85,000 – ₹95,000 (with allowances) |
Senior CMO (Metro City) | ₹1,77,500 | ₹2,40,000+ (with allowances) |
Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) – Salary Snapshot (2025)
The Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) is a senior administrative officer positioned in Urban Local bodies (ULBs) and is responsible for municipal governance, urban development schemes, and effective civic operations. The CMO is a Group A officer with a salary structure determined by the 7th Pay Commission, and varies according to the officer's seniority, municipality grade and location. Below is an indicative salary table of the various pay components in 2025:
Salary Table: Chief Municipal Officer 2025
The following table outlines the estimated salary ranges for the position of Chief Municipal Officer in 2025.
Salary Component | Amount (₹) |
Entry Basic Pay | ₹56,100 |
Grade Pay | ₹5,400 / ₹4,400 (varies by state/ULB) |
Gross Monthly Salary | ₹70,000 – ₹95,000 (with DA, HRA, etc.) |
Maximum Monthly Pay | ₹1,77,500 (senior level/large cities) |
Annual Package | ₹8 – ₹21 lakhs (approximate range) |
Allowances, Perks & Benefits of CMO (2025)
Chief Municipal Officers receive certain financial and non-financial benefits as part of their government service package. These allowances are determined by state policies, class of municipality, and the location of the posting, thus enhancing the total remuneration package along with job satisfaction.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): approximately 53% of the basic pay (2025).
- House Rent Allowance (HRA): Depends on city category assessment (from Metro to Semi-urban).
- Transport Allowance (TA): Determined by applicable government norm.
- Medical/Risk and Uniform Allowances:Provided based on local body policies.
- Pension & Provident Fund:Long-standing retirement and saving benefits.
In-Hand Salary and Deductions of CMO (2025)
The in-hand salary of CMO is what a Chief Municipal Officer gets after authorized deductions made by the government concerning the Provident Fund (PF), National Pension System (NPS), professional tax, and income tax. The in-hand salary of a CMO, like many government workers, can vary based on the rank of the municipality they are posted to (as noted above), seniority, and location. The salary slip provides a snapshot of earnings and deductions. The salary slip is a valuable piece of documentation since it is commonly required for a variety of transactions (e.g., loan approval, credit checks, verification of income, etc) with banks and insurance clues.
Component | Amount/Details (₹) |
Gross Salary | ₹70,000 – ₹1,77,500 (with allowances) |
Deductions (Approx.) | ₹15,000 – ₹30,000 (PF, NPS, taxes, etc.) |
Net In-Hand Salary | ₹55,000 – ₹1,50,000 (monthly take-home) |
Common Deductions | PF, NPS, Income Tax, Group Insurance, etc. |
Salary Slip Shows | Basic Pay, HRA, DA, TA, Special Allowances, Deductions |
Professional Advancement & Promotion Policy - Chief Municipal Officer (2025)
The career path for a Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) provides organized promotional opportunities within the municipal administration structure. Promotions exist based on experience, performance and success in various departmental exams/interviews through per state service rules.
Promotion Pathways
Here’s an overview of the different ways employees can advance their careers within the organization.
Career Stage | Designation |
Entry-Level | Chief Officer – Grade II |
Mid-Level | Chief Officer – Grade I |
Senior-Level | Commissioner – Executive/Selection Grade |
Top Administrative Roles | Municipal Commissioner in Class A cities |
Timeframe for Promotion
1.Typical Model: 10-20 years
2.Things that Affect Timeframe:
- Annual Performance Assessments (APARs)
- Department seniority lists
- Vacancies
- Minimum years of service
Departmental Exams & Criteria
- Written exams and/or interviews are part of the promotional process for executive grades.
- Some states also have training certificates, field evaluations and management-level examinations.
- Promotions are governed by the individual State Municipal Administrative Services.
Job Information & Duties - Chief Municipal Officer (CMO)
The Chief Municipal Officer (CMO) is the administrative leader of a local municipality and is in a unique position to connect the elected municipal council to the entire "government" organization of the municipality. The responsibilities of CMOs involve roles in supporting urban policies, managing all day-to-day municipal operations, and providing public service with transparency and accountability. CMO's direct the execution of Municipal's urban policies, lead/manage critical departments, and help promote local development initiatives consistent with state or central government schemes.
Job Responsibilities of a CMO (2025)
Below are the key responsibilities typically associated with the role of a chief Marketing Officer in 2025.
Area of Responsibility | Key Functions |
Administrative Leadership | Heads municipal staff and departments; coordinates with elected representatives |
Revenue Management | Oversees tax collection, budgeting, and municipal finances |
Urban Planning & Development | Implements urban infrastructure projects, zoning, and land use planning |
Government Schemes Execution | Executes central/state schemes (e.g., AMRUT, Swachh Bharat, PMAY, Smart Cities) |
Legal & Regulatory Compliance | Ensures adherence to municipal laws, audits, and RTI responses |
Staff Supervision | Manages recruitment, performance, and discipline of municipal employees |
Public Welfare Services | Ensures delivery of water, sanitation, health, education, and emergency services |
Transparency & Governance | Promotes digital governance, citizen feedback, and anti-corruption measures |
The role of theChief Municipal Officer (CMO) is central to ensuring effective urban governance, transparent administration, and responsive civic service delivery. As the administrative backbone of a municipality, the CMO balances policy implementation with ground-level execution. With structured career growth, stable pay, and meaningful responsibilities, the position offers both professional fulfillment and public impact. It demands strong leadership, legal awareness, and a citizen-centric approach. Overall, the CMO plays a pivotal role in shaping sustainable and efficient urban living.
