What is the average COO salary in 2026?
Based on VP+ roles with posted compensation, the median COO salary is $305K. The 25th percentile is $210K and the 75th percentile is $410K. These figures come from active job postings, not survey estimates.
How many COO positions are open right now?
This week, ExecSignals tracked 11 scored COO openings with posted compensation. The most common hiring signal is "Reports to CEO" and the top hiring industry is Healthcare.
What hiring signals matter most for COO roles?
The top signal for COO roles is "Reports to CEO." Other common signals include reporting structure (typically reports to CEO), team-building mandates, and urgency indicators like "immediate start." ExecSignals extracts these signals automatically from every job description.
Is COO a good retained search opportunity?
With a median salary of $305K, COO roles typically fall within retained search territory. Roles with "Build Team" or "Reports to CEO" signals are especially strong candidates for retained engagements, as they indicate strategic hires with board-level visibility.