BusinessUpdated Q1 2026

Chief Operating Officer Salary
in Birmingham, AL

Oversee daily business operations and drive operational efficiency across the organization. Median salary in Birmingham: $185K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$185K
per year
Take-home: $121K

Salary range in Birmingham

Entry level (25th)$128,000
Median (50th)$185,000
Senior (75th)$282,000
Top earner (90th)$422,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Birmingham, Alabama. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Birmingham

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

12% discount vs national median

Chief Operating Officers in Birmingham earn approximately 12% lower than the US national median for this role — a $25,000 discount on annual base salary. Birmingham's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 82 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Birmingham's cost-of-living index (82), the median Chief Operating Officer salary buys the equivalent of $225,610 in a US-average-cost city. That's $15,610 more purchasing power than the national median — a meaningful real-wage advantage.

Key facts for Birmingham

Median salary
$185K
annual
Take-home pay
$121K
after fed/state tax
COL index
82
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,050
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Birmingham Chief Operating Officer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $185K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Birmingham

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Chief Operating Officer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$155K$169K$182K$196K$209K201920212023202520272029
2026
$190K
projected
2027
$194K
projected
2028
$199K
projected
2029
$204K
projected
2030
$209K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$185,000+$0
2028 projected$185,000+$0
2029 projected$185,000+$0
2030 projected$185,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Chief Operating Officer Salary in Birmingham, Alabama: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Chief Operating Officer salary in Birmingham, AL is $185,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Birmingham–AL metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Chief Operating Officer in Birmingham

Entry-level Chief Operating Officers in Birmingham with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $128,000 and $185,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $185,000 to $282,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $282,000 to $422,000 or more.

Cost of living in Birmingham for Chief Operating Officers

Birmingham has a cost of living index of 82 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 18% further in Birmingham than the national average. Alabama has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Chief Operating Officer

Bachelor's; MBA; 15+ years operations experience. 25% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Chief Operating Officer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Birmingham (current)$185K82
Montgomery$168K80
Huntsville$202K88
Mobile$172K82