Compliance Officer Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$78,000
national median salary
$59,000 to $105,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $80,730 for Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041) across the United States, based on 417,070 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$48,220
25th percentile
$61,280
Median
$80,730
75th percentile
$109,010
90th percentile
$133,720
Workers surveyed
417,070
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$78,420
May 2025 release
$80,730
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041) rather than Compliance Officerspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 13-1041Highest Paying
$103,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$82,000
Wichita, KS
Lowest Paying
$60,000
Charleston, WV
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 13-1041. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Compliance Officer salary in the United States at $78,000 in 2026, within a range of $59,000 to $105,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $103,000, while Wichita offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. Regulatory environment complexity and industry are the top salary drivers.
Compliance Officer salary by city.
Skills that increase Compliance Officer pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Compliance Officers based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $10,920 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$10,920 per year
≈ +$10,140 per year
≈ +$9,360 per year
≈ +$8,580 per year
≈ +$8,580 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,800 per year
≈ +$7,020 per year
What you should know.
Regulatory environment complexity and industry are the top salary drivers. Compliance officers in banking, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals earn 15 to 25% more than those in less regulated industries. AML/BSA specialization, sanctions screening expertise, and experience managing regulatory examinations command significant salary premiums.
Compliance analysts start at $60,000 to $78,000. Compliance officers earn $85,000 to $120,000. Senior compliance officers and managers reach $115,000 to $155,000. Directors of compliance earn $150,000 to $210,000. Chief compliance officers at large institutions command $220,000 to $400,000.
Annual bonuses of 10 to 20% are tied to audit outcomes and regulatory examination results. Financial services compliance officers receive the highest variable pay. Some firms offer retention bonuses to keep compliance talent during regulatory transitions or enforcement actions.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Compliance Officers typically earn $70,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Compliance Officer pay.
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