What are the main factors that influence a Chief Operating Officer's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

How does experience change A Chief Operating Officer's salary?

A Chief Operating Officer's salary grows with experience: starting around $489,237 for beginners, reaching about $498,536 at mid-level, and approach $516,469 for experts.

What are the highest paying states for a Chief Operating Officer?

Chief Operating Officer salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Chief Operating Officer roles are District of Columbia $516,469, California $514,510, Massachusetts $507,653. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Chief Operating Officer roles make?

Salaries for Chief Operating Officer level roles vary by specialization: Chief Executive Officer: $814,607; hospital chief operating officer: $514,188; Deputy Chief Operating Officer: $455,499; Chief Enterprise Infrastructure Officer: $436,132; Chief Operating Officer - Physician Practice: $412,421.

Chief Operating Officer Salary in District of Columbia

How much does a Chief Operating Officer make in District of Columbia?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Operating Officer in District of Columbia is $516,469 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $248.

However, a Chief Operating Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $645,461
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $471,968 to $583,988
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $431,453

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Chief Operating Officer Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$583,988	$48,666	$11,231	$281
Average	$516,469	$43,039	$9,932	$248
25th Percentile	$471,968	$39,331	$9,076	$227

You may get higher pay by adjusting the following factors:

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Key Factors That Influence Chief Operating Officer Salaries

A Chief Operating Officer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Chief Operating Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Operating Officer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $489,237
Early Career (1-2 years): $493,222
Mid-Level (2-4 years): $498,536
Senior-Level (5-8 years): $506,506
Expert (over 8 years): $516,469

Levels	Salary
Entry Level Chief Operating Officer	$489,237
Intermediate Level Chief Operating Officer	$493,222
Senior Level Chief Operating Officer	$498,536
Specialist Level Chief Operating Officer	$506,506
Expert Level Chief Operating Officer	$516,469

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Chief Operating Officer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Chief Operating Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $516,469.
California: $514,510.
Massachusetts: $507,653.

District of Columbia $516,469 California $514,510 Massachusetts $507,653 Washington $505,787 New Jersey $505,600 Alaska $504,947 Connecticut $498,510 New York $495,898

Hawaii $487,548 Rhode Island $483,630 Maryland $480,971 Minnesota $477,333 Colorado $475,933 Illinois $475,467 Oregon $473,694 Delaware $472,388

New Hampshire $471,567 Virginia $469,729 Pennsylvania $464,365 Nevada $461,659 North Dakota $460,773 Michigan $459,374 Wisconsin $458,861 Vermont $457,834

Texas $454,989 Maine $454,802 Arizona $454,523 Ohio $454,196 Georgia $449,905 Indiana $447,759 Wyoming $447,339 Utah $446,686

Iowa $446,406 Kansas $444,167 Louisiana $443,514 North Carolina $443,281 Missouri $443,187 Florida $441,368 Montana $440,389 Nebraska $439,456

Kentucky $438,943 South Carolina $437,077 Tennessee $435,911 Idaho $435,444 New Mexico $432,039 Oklahoma $431,293 Alabama $428,540 South Dakota $423,922

Arkansas $421,404 West Virginia $420,051 Mississippi $415,993

Top Paying Cities for Chief Operating Officers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Parcel Return Service: $516,469
Washington: $516,469
Naval Anacost Annex: $516,469

Parcel Return Service, DC $516,469 Washington, DC $516,469 Naval Anacost Annex, DC $516,469 Washington Navy Yard, DC $516,469

Chief Operating Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Operating Officer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on April 01, 2026

$471,968

Average $516,469/year

$583,988

$39,331

Average $43,039/month

$48,666

$9,076

Average $9,932/week

$11,231

$227

Average $248/hour

$281

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$583,988	$48,666	$11,231	$281
Average	$516,469	$43,039	$9,932	$248
25th Percentile	$471,968	$39,331	$9,076	$227

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