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Pebio editorial team · Last updated: 1 November 2026

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

What is on your mind?

Pay scales and minimum rates

These are minimums if the stated scope applies to your employment. This is not legal advice.

There is no verified statement on statutory pay under the BGB for this occupation yet.

Statutory minimum wage

  • Statutory

    €13.90 per hour

    valid from 2026-01-01, until 2026-12-31

    § 1 Nr. 1 MiLoV5: „ab 1. Januar 2026 13,90 Euro brutto je Zeitstunde“

Source: Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (MiLoV5), Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 268 · As of 2026-10-27

Upcoming rates (1)

  • Statutory

    €14.60 per hour

    valid from 2027-01-01 · upcoming

    § 1 Nr. 2 MiLoV5: „ab 1. Januar 2027 14,60 Euro brutto je Zeitstunde“

Source: Fifth Minimum Wage Adjustment Ordinance (MiLoV5), Federal Law Gazette 2025 I No. 268 · As of 2026-10-27

Terms explained
Generally binding collective agreement (AVE)
A collective agreement that the labour ministry has declared binding for all employers in a sector – even without union membership.
Framework agreement (Manteltarifvertrag)
Sets general working conditions such as working hours, leave and notice periods, not the level of pay.
Pay agreement (Entgelttarifvertrag)
Sets how much is paid per pay grade.
Pay grade (Entgeltgruppe)
The classification by task and qualification. It decides which amount in the pay table applies to you.

Which pay scale might apply to you?

We show no sector pay scale for this occupation. Check step by step: region, employer and sector, bargaining parties, scope and period, then the original text. A match means “possibly relevant, please check”, not “applies to you”.

BMAS collective agreement register

Where else you can go

Routes many people do not think of straight away. Every statement names source and date; what is missing reads “not documented yet”.

  • Certified Business Manager (IHK, Master Professional)

    You prepare for the exam as Master Professional in Businessmanagement. It covers management, processes and a project paper.

    Why you fit

    As COO you steer processes and units, and the exam asks for the same overall view. The degree makes your practice formally visible.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Qualification „Geprüfter Betriebswirt nach BBiG – Master Professional in Businessmanagement“, DQR level 7. Exam: written, oral and project-based. The IHK advises applying for admission before the course.

    Source: IHK Stuttgart: Betriebswirt (RVO) · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    Information on Aufstiegs-BAföG is available from the Ämter für Ausbildungsförderung and at aufstiegs-bafoeg.de.

    Source: IHK Stuttgart: Betriebswirt (RVO) · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Ask your IHK for admission before you book a course.

  • Managing Director of a GmbH

    You lead the company as a corporate body and bear responsibility for its business. You represent it externally.

    Why you fit

    As COO you know operations and overall responsibility. You need both as managing director.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Only a natural person with full legal capacity can be managing director. The law lists exclusion grounds but sets no training requirement. Appointment is made in the articles of association or under the statutory provisions.

    Source: § 6 GmbHG · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Check whether your company or a holding needs a managing director.

  • Management Board Member of a Stock Corporation

    You lead the stock corporation as a board member. You are responsible for one area or the whole.

    Why you fit

    A COO often runs the operating business of a company. That experience is in demand for a board portfolio.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Only a natural person with full legal capacity can sit on the management board. Excluded, among others, is anyone convicted of certain intentional offences. The exclusion lasts five years from the judgment becoming final.

    Source: § 76 Abs. 3 AktG · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    At listed companies subject to the Mitbestimmungsgesetz, the Montan-Mitbestimmungsgesetz or the Mitbestimmungsergänzungsgesetz, at least one woman and one man must sit on a management board of more than three members. Otherwise the appointment is void.

    Source: § 76 Abs. 3a AktG · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Your next step: Talk to the supervisory board or shareholders about a board role and read the contract clauses closely.

Show more routes (4)
  • Supervisory Board Member

    You oversee and advise the management as a supervisory board member. You do not work in day-to-day business.

    Why you fit

    Having steered operations for years, you can assess a management's plans and risks with expertise.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Only a natural person with full legal capacity can sit on a supervisory board. Excluded is anyone already on ten supervisory boards required by law or a legal representative of a dependent company. At public-interest entities the board needs expertise in accounting and auditing.

    Source: § 100 AktG · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Check which seats you may take on under the exclusion grounds.

  • Public Auditor (Wirtschaftsprüfer)

    You audit annual accounts and certify them. You advise on accounting and tax.

    Why you fit

    Whoever ran figures, processes and controlling knows the audit topics from practice. The exam still requires audit experience.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    Admission requires a completed university degree. Work experience and involvement in statutory audits are added. The exam consists of written papers and an oral exam. It is shortened for tax advisers and after a master under § 8a WPO.

    Source: Wirtschaftsprüferkammer: Berufszugang · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Ask the regional office of the Wirtschaftsprüferkammer whether your practice counts.

  • Taking Over a Company (Succession)

    You take over an existing company and run it yourself. You settle financing, purchase price and handover.

    Why you fit

    As COO you know organisation, processes and leadership. That eases taking over a running business.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    The Bergische IHK offers succession consultation days with the Steuerberaterkammer Düsseldorf. Founders who want to take over a company can also reserve a free appointment. Topics are finding a successor, financing, funding, tax law and purchase price.

    Source: Bergische IHK: Unternehmensnachfolge · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet
    Particulars
    Anyone who wants to hand over a business must be a member of the Bergische IHK. For successors, the page names member companies as well as interested people looking for a company.

    Source: Bergische IHK: Unternehmensnachfolge · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Your next step: Ask your IHK about succession consultation days or advice.

  • Compliance Officer (IHK Course)

    You build a compliance management system and assess risks. You support audits and incidents.

    Why you fit

    As COO you know workflows and responsibilities in the company. Compliance systems need that knowledge.

    The route there

    Further training and exam
    The course „Compliance Officer IHK“ at IHK Nordschwarzwald covers the compliance management system, risk analysis, code of conduct, audits, internal investigations and compliance incidents. Start: 15.02.2027, live online.

    Source: IHK Nordschwarzwald: Compliance Officer IHK · As of 2026-11-01 (abgerufen)

    Duration
    not documented yet
    Cost
    not documented yet
    Funding
    not documented yet
    Salary
    not documented yet

    Your next step: Ask the IHK about the course's duration, requirements and qualification.

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How we assign facts
  • Financial situation: Salary, Pay scales
  • Security & predictability: Pay scales, Job market
  • Work environment & belonging: No data
  • Recognition & competence: Skills
  • Growth & self-determination: Career, Skills

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