How much does a compliance officer make?
The median compliance officer in the United States earns $80,730 per year, about $38.81 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all compliance officers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1041.
Compliance officer salary range
Pay for compliance officers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,220 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $133,720. The average (mean) wage of $88,400 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,220 | $23.18 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $61,280 | $29.46 | |
| Median (50th) | $80,730 | $38.81 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $109,010 | $52.41 | |
| 90th percentile | $133,720 | $64.29 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for compliance officers (SOC 13-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Compliance officer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Compliance officers earn the most in District of Columbia at $111,030 a year, and the least in Oklahoma at $63,000. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,030 | 4,380 |
| Massachusetts | $102,060 | 13,190 |
| New Jersey | $100,000 | 13,310 |
| California | $96,980 | 49,880 |
| Connecticut | $91,810 | 3,610 |
| Delaware | $91,050 | 2,150 |
| Vermont | $90,420 | 1,960 |
| New York | $90,080 | 23,500 |
| Washington | $88,790 | 11,130 |
| Rhode Island | $87,620 | 970 |
| Minnesota | $85,920 | 6,140 |
| Pennsylvania | $85,580 | 19,810 |
| Maryland | $84,720 | 10,100 |
| Maine | $83,740 | 1,790 |
| Oregon | $82,990 | 5,360 |
| New Hampshire | $82,800 | 1,730 |
| Hawaii | $82,590 | 1,270 |
| Colorado | $82,450 | 7,740 |
| Illinois | $80,550 | 10,650 |
| Virginia | $80,380 | 15,190 |
| Wyoming | $79,890 | 580 |
| North Dakota | $79,440 | 990 |
| Wisconsin | $78,800 | 5,710 |
| Indiana | $78,770 | 5,120 |
| North Carolina | $78,500 | 11,320 |
| Nevada | $78,290 | 4,400 |
| Michigan | $77,390 | 9,720 |
| Alaska | $76,430 | 920 |
| Iowa | $75,620 | 3,660 |
| South Carolina | $75,460 | 4,760 |
| Idaho | $75,450 | 1,660 |
| Texas | $75,370 | 42,900 |
| Ohio | $75,030 | 11,240 |
| Arizona | $74,920 | 12,430 |
| Florida | $74,920 | 29,680 |
| Nebraska | $73,920 | 3,470 |
| Alabama | $72,990 | 3,770 |
| South Dakota | $72,630 | 1,130 |
| Louisiana | $70,290 | 3,970 |
| Georgia | $70,200 | 14,390 |
| Kansas | $69,740 | 3,560 |
| Kentucky | $69,240 | 4,360 |
| New Mexico | $67,990 | 2,400 |
| Mississippi | $67,450 | 1,720 |
| Utah | $67,370 | 3,760 |
| Missouri | $67,270 | 7,000 |
| Montana | $66,660 | 1,480 |
| Arkansas | $64,680 | 3,120 |
| West Virginia | $64,270 | 1,720 |
| Tennessee | $63,960 | 7,990 |
| Oklahoma | $63,000 | 4,230 |
State median wages for compliance officers (SOC 13-1041), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for compliance officers
The BLS projects employment of compliance officers to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 436,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 453,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 32,700 openings a year for compliance officers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a compliance officer
The typical entry-level education for compliance officers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a compliance officer earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $111,030) and the lowest (Oklahoma, $63,000) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 417,070 people work as compliance officers in the United States. At $80,730 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Compliance officer salary FAQ
How much does a compliance officer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a compliance officer is $38.81. The middle half of compliance officers earn between $29.46 and $52.41 per hour.
What is the highest compliance officer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of compliance officers earn more than $133,720 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a compliance officer make a year?
The median annual salary for a compliance officer is $80,730. The average (mean) wage of $88,400 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a compliance officer a well paid job?
At $80,730 a year, a compliance officer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 417,070 people work as compliance officers in the United States.
Which state pays compliance officers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for compliance officers at $111,030 a year. Massachusetts ($102,060) and New Jersey ($100,000) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a compliance officer a good career?
Employment of compliance officers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 32,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a compliance officer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for compliance officers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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