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Compliance Officer Salary in Memphis, TN — 2026

Compliance Officer salary data for Memphis, TN — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The median Compliance Officer salary in Memphis, TN is $83,420 per year ($6,952/month, $40/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 86, which is 14% below the national average.

Entry Level
$52K
$25/hr
Median
$83K
$40/hr
Senior
$115K
$55/hr
Top Earner
$145K
$70/hr

Compliance Officer Take-Home Pay in Memphis

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$83,420
Federal Tax-$9,522
State Tax (0.0%)-$0
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$6,382
Annual Take-Home$67,516
Monthly Take-Home$5,626

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$1,000/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio14.4%
Median Home Price$170,000
Cost of Living Index86
City Median Salary$52,000
Compliance Officer vs City Median+$31,420

Compliance Officer Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
3-6 years
Job Growth
6.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

Regulatory KnowledgePolicy DevelopmentAML/KYCRisk AssessmentAudit Management

Memphis Job Market Overview

Memphis, Tennessee has a population of 633,104 and an unemployment rate of 4.2%. The top industries are Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing. The local job growth rate is 1.0%, and the average commute time is 24 minutes.

Compliance Officer Salary in Nearby Tennessee Cities

Salary Percentile Breakdown — Compliance Officer in Memphis

Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Compliance Officer in Memphis, TN, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly EquivalentCareer Stage
10th (lowest)$51,600$25/hrEntry-level, < 1 yr exp.
25th$67,510$32/hrJunior, 1-3 yrs exp.
50th (median)$83,420$40/hrMid-career, 3-6 years
75th$115,240$55/hrSenior, 5-10 yrs exp.
90th (top)$145,340$70/hrLead/Principal, 10+ yrs

Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Compliance Officer compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Memphis's Logistics sector.

5-Year Salary Trajectory

Compliance Officer salaries in Memphis have grown approximately 16.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:

5 Years Ago
$71,914
Adjusted for Memphis COL
Today (2026)
$83,420
+16.0% vs 5y ago
Projected 2031
$96,767
If growth continues

Year-over-year, an average Compliance Officer can expect a 12.2% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 7 years in Memphis. Negotiation, certifications (CRCM, CAMS), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.

Memphis vs National Average

The national median Compliance Officer salary is $97,000. In Memphis, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $83,420 is 14.0% below the national figure. This reflects Memphis's cost of living index of 86 (lower than the national average of 100).

For Compliance Officers, this means: rent typically consumes 17.8% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Memphis costs about 2.5× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in Memphis.

Industry Context: Logistics in Memphis

Memphis's economy is anchored by Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing, with 633,104 residents and 4.2% unemployment as of 2026. Compliance Officers working in the Logistics sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 1.0%, and Compliance Officer occupations specifically are projected to grow 6.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Methodology & Data Sources

How we calculate Compliance Officer salaries in Memphis, TN:

  1. Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
  2. Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Memphis index of 86 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
  3. Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
  4. Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), TN state income tax of 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
  5. Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.

Authoritative data sources:

Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Compliance Officer salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Logistics vs others in Memphis), specific skill set (Regulatory Knowledge, Policy Development, AML/KYC), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Compliance Officer salary in Memphis, TN?
The median Compliance Officer salary in Memphis, TN is $83,420 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 86. Entry-level Compliance Officers earn around $51,600, while senior-level professionals can earn $115,240 or more.
How much does a Compliance Officer take home in Memphis after taxes?
A Compliance Officer earning the median salary of $83,420 in Memphis, TN takes home approximately $67,516 per year ($5,626/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 19.1%.
Is Memphis a good city for Compliance Officers?
Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 86 (below national average). Compliance Officers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.2% and top industries include Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing.
What skills are needed for a Compliance Officer in Memphis?
Key skills for Compliance Officers include Regulatory Knowledge, Policy Development, AML/KYC, Risk Assessment, Audit Management. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include CRCM, CAMS, CCEP.
How does Compliance Officer salary in Memphis compare to the national average?
The national median Compliance Officer salary is $97,000. In Memphis, the adjusted salary is $83,420, which is 14.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Compliance Officer salary in Memphis, TN?

The median Compliance Officer salary in Memphis, TN is $83,420 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 86. Entry-level Compliance Officers earn around $51,600, while senior-level professionals can earn $115,240 or more.

How much does a Compliance Officer take home in Memphis after taxes?

A Compliance Officer earning the median salary of $83,420 in Memphis, TN takes home approximately $67,516 per year ($5,626/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 19.1%.

Is Memphis a good city for Compliance Officers?

Memphis, TN has a cost of living index of 86 (below national average). Compliance Officers here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 4.2% and top industries include Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing.

What skills are needed for a Compliance Officer in Memphis?

Key skills for Compliance Officers include Regulatory Knowledge, Policy Development, AML/KYC, Risk Assessment, Audit Management. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include CRCM, CAMS, CCEP.

How does Compliance Officer salary in Memphis compare to the national average?

The national median Compliance Officer salary is $97,000. In Memphis, the adjusted salary is $83,420, which is 14.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.