COO Salary
A COO's day-to-day work in C-Suite & Executive centres on Compliance, Excel and ERP. In the GCC market, this role is actively hired across Saudi with 2 recent postings.
A COO in the GCC region requires Excel, leadership, compliance, budgeting, forecasting. Employers typically expect 10+ years of experience for C-Suite & Executive roles at this level. This role is in demand across the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
Salary across the Gulf
Monthly gross median in local currency, by country × seniority.
| Country | Junior | Mid-Level | Senior | Lead / Principal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 47,500 AED | 81,500 AED | 126,500 AED | 175,500 AED |
| Saudi Arabia | 45,000 SAR | 78,000 SAR | 121,000 SAR | 167,500 SAR |
| Qatar | 49,500 QAR | 85,500 QAR | 132,500 QAR | 183,500 QAR |
| Kuwait | 3,900 KWD | 6,700 KWD | 10,350 KWD | 14,350 KWD |
| Oman | 4,300 OMR | 7,400 OMR | 11,500 OMR | 15,950 OMR |
| Bahrain | 4,100 BHD | 7,050 BHD | 10,950 BHD | 15,150 BHD |
How COO pay varies in the UAE
UAE · mid-level · monthly gross in AED
Inputs: GCC salary surveys, role taxonomy and 2 matching Tabbio postings · updated August 4, 2026 · How we estimate
Salary data reviewed by Ahmed AlDhraif, CIPD-certified HR practitioner · Founder & CEO, Tabbio
By company size
Median compensation varies with headcount.
Top-paying industries
Median for this role, ranked by sector.
Estimates modelled from GCC pay surveys and live posting volume: a directional guide, not a live salary feed.
Top hiring companies
- Rgheeb
Active markets
- Saudi Arabia
Frequently asked questions
What is the average COO salary in the UAE?
The average mid-level COO in the UAE earns AED 81,500 per month (gross), modelled from Gulf market data including the Michael Page, Cooper Fitch and Hays salary guides. The figures scale with seniority: juniors earn roughly 55-60% of the mid level, seniors about 1.5×, and leads/principals close to 2×.
Which Gulf country pays COO salaries the most?
Qatar and the UAE typically lead for COO salaries, with Saudi Arabia close behind. Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman pay in local currency but the gross AED-equivalent is usually somewhat lower.
Are these figures gross or net?
All numbers are monthly gross base pay, before housing or transport allowances, bonuses, or statutory deductions. Gulf payroll typically has no income tax for residents, so gross and net are close for most expats.
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