Compliance Officer Salary in 2026
Compliance officers ensure organizations adhere to legal regulations, industry standards, and internal policies. They develop compliance programs, conduct training, and manage regulatory examinations.
Median Salary
$80,730
$6,728/mo
Entry Level
$49,900
starting pay
Senior Level
$111,500
experienced
Job Growth
+6%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041) at a national median of $80,730 per year (mean $88,400), or $38.81 per hour, with 417,070 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Compliance Officer Overview
Compliance officers ensure organizations adhere to legal regulations, industry standards, and internal policies. They develop compliance programs, conduct training, and manage regulatory examinations.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
3-6 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
417K
5-Year Growth
+16%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$38.81/hr
Monthly Pay
$6,728
Compliance Officer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Compliance Officer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Compliance Officer Salary
$91,000
$7,583/month · $3,500/biweekly · $43.75/hr
Compliance Officer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Compliance Officer field.
Entry-level Compliance Officers earn around $49,900, while the top 10% earn $126,100 or more.
Top Paying States for Compliance Officers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $95,000 | +$14,270 |
| New York | $93,000 | +$12,270 |
| Illinois | $84,000 | +$3,270 |
| Texas | $79,000 | $-1,730 |
| Florida | $79,000 | $-1,730 |
Top Paying Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $95,000 | +$14,270 |
| Los Angeles | $90,000 | +$9,270 |
| Chicago | $85,000 | +$4,270 |
| Miami | $82,000 | +$1,270 |
| DallasBLS metro | $77,760 | $-2,970 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Compliance Officers in that city's metropolitan statistical area (1 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Compliance Officer Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Compliance Officer.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Compliance Officer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Compliance Officer from entry level to expert.
$49,900
0-2 years
$81,000
3-7 years
$111,500
8-14 years
$140,700
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Compliance Officer Salary FAQ
How much does a Compliance Officer make in 2026?
The median salary for a Compliance Officer in the United States is $80,730 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041); the mean is $88,400. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $49,900, senior professionals around $111,500, and top earners at $140,700 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Compliance Officer?
A Compliance Officer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 3-6 years of experience. Key skills include Regulatory Knowledge, Policy Development, AML/KYC. Relevant certifications such as CRCM or CAMS can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Compliance Officers?
The job market for Compliance Officers is projected to grow by 6% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 417K Compliance Officer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 16%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Compliance Officers the most?
The highest-paying states for Compliance Officers include New York, California, Texas. In New York, the median salary is approximately $93,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Compliance Officer salary?
To increase your Compliance Officer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Regulatory Knowledge and Policy Development. Pursue certifications such as CRCM. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 3-6 years of experience, you can progress from $49,900 to $111,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Compliance Officer Salary
How we calculate Compliance Officer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Compliance Officers (SOC 13-1041), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $80,730, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Compliance Officers; BLS mean $88,400; BLS hourly median $38.81.
- Entry-level ($49,900) and senior-level ($111,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +6% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 417,070 Compliance Officers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 16% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $80,730; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Compliance Officer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Compliance Officer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Compliance Officer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Regulatory Knowledge, Policy Development, AML/KYC), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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