What is the typical salary for Chief Operations Officer roles in the UK?
£120,000 to £300,000
As a leading Executive Search recruitment agency specialising in C-suite candidates, Intelligent People are well placed to advise on Chief Operations Officer salaries in the UK.
With our 20 years’ experience within the competitive industries we operate in, a Chief Operations Officer / Chief Operating Officer salary typically ranges from £120,000 to £300,000.
However, the national averages are lower, so let’s take a look at some of the largest UK job platforms to get a broader picture.
Are you looking to hire for your Executive level team? Contact us today to find out how we can help you find candidates and stay ahead of your competition.
Chief Operations Officer wages as advertised on top job boards
What does Glassdoor say?
The average base salary range reported is between £81,000 – £162,000 per year. The average base pay reported is £115,590 per year, based on 1301 salaries.
Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing.
What does Indeed say?
The average salary for a chief operating officer is £74,270 per year in United Kingdom. This is based on 353 salaries reported.
What does Payscale say?
The average annual salary for a Director of Product in the United Kingdom is £75,000, based off 2,893 salaries.
Entry level positions start at £55,100 per year while most experienced workers make up to £95,000 per year.
What does Salary Expert say?
The average Chief Operating Officer (COO) gross salary in London, United Kingdom is £238,328 or an equivalent hourly rate of £115. This is 22% higher (+£43,414) than the average chief operating officer (coo) salary in United Kingdom. In addition, they earn an average bonus of £94,235.
Salary variations
As you can see above, there is a huge range in salaries for Chief Operating Officer positions in the UK. This is a similar story for Chief Customer Officer, Chief Commercial Officer and Chief Revenue Officer roles, meaning correct salary benchmarking requires intimate knowledge of the influencing factors.
Additional benefits such as private medical insurance, performance related bonuses and pension contributions as standard for this level of role. The salary is largely determined by the organisation type, i.e., a large global listed business will be closer to the top range, with an early-stage scale-up towards the lower end of the scale, potentially with an equity package to enhance the overall package.
Expert salary benchmarking advice
Reach out to us today to discuss your recruitment needs in more detail. After assessing your requirements, we can advise on the correct salary for the Chief Operations Officer position you have in mind and come up with a strategy to place the correct candidate within the required timescales.
Chief Operations Officer salary FAQs
- What is a normal salary for a COO?
- A normal salary for a Chief Operations Officer is between £120,000 - £300,000 a year. If an employer requires a Chief Operations Officer / Chief Operating Officer (COO) with specific niche experience and knowledge, the candidate will often be able to negotiate a salary at the higher end of this scale.
- What is the highest salary for a COO?
- The highest salary for a Chief Operations Officer in today's market is approximately £300.000. This is the salary base rate, and equity and other benefits like health insurance would be added on top.
- What does a Chief Operations Officer do?
- A Chief Operations Officer is typically second in command to the CEO and plays a critical role in translating the businesses strategic vision into actionable plans. Their primary objective is to optimise operational performance, enhance productivity, and drive overall growth and profitability. The Chief Operations Officer responsibilities can vary depending on the industry and size of business, but they often include managing various operational departments such as production, supply chain, human resources, finance, and technology.
- Is COO higher than a Director of Operations?
- Yes. In many businesses, a Chief Operations Officer is a higher position that a Director of Operations. A Director of Operations would often report into the Chief Operating Officer. If a business does not employ a COO, the Director of Operations may report directly into the CEO.
