How to Become a COO?
Are you thinking of becoming a COO or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a COO, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new COO job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
"Chief Operating Officer" was the nearest match for you query "COO".
Steps to Become a Chief Operating Officer
If you're considering starting your Chief Operating Officer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Chief Operating Officer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Chief Operating Officer career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Chief Operating Officer career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Chief Operating Officer internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.What type of degree should you pursue to become a Chief Operating Officer?
51% of people working as a Chief Operating Officer earned a Bachelor's Degree
What skills do you need to be a Chief Operating Officer?
- Leadership
- Consulting
- Six Sigma
- Graduate Degree
- Bachelor Degree Required
- Excellent Communication
- Decision Making
- Public Speaking
2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Chief Operating Officer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Chief Operating Officer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Chief Operating Officer specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Chief Operating Officer
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Business or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Chief Operating Officer. In general, you can become a Chief Operating Officer after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Chief Operating Officer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified rehabilitation registered nurse.4
Advance in Your Chief Operating Officer Career
Following entry-level, there are several Chief Operating Officer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Chief Operating Officer to progress to the deputy chief operating officer position. Each advanced Chief Operating Officer position requires approximately 8 years of experience at each level to advance in your Chief Operating Officer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Chief Operating Officer career path.5
Continued Education for Your Chief Operating Officer Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Chief Operating Officer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Business can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $312,998 compared to $80,593 for those without that type of degree.COO Career Path
Chief Operating Officer
8+Years of Experience
$230K - $430K /yrMost Likely Range
Deputy Chief Operating Officer
No Years of Experience Reports
$183K - $341K /yrMost Likely Range
Total Pay Trajectory
COO Career Path
Chief Operating Officer
Deputy Chief Operating Officer
$160K
$224K
$288K
$352K
$480K
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Related Careers in the Business Industry
Interested in other Business careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with COO skills. Discover some of the most common COO career transitions, along with skills overlap.