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Compliance officer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$80,730median pay per year, or $38.81 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $48,220lowest 10% earn less
  2. $61,28025th percentile
  3. $80,730median
  4. $109,01075th percentile
  5. $133,720top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for compliance officers was $80,730 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.8%[2]
Openings per year
32,700[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do compliance officers make?

A compliance officer had a median pay of $80,730 a year, or $38.81 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $88,400 a year, or $42.50 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4].

The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $48,220 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $133,720[3]. The 25th percentile was $61,280 and the 75th percentile was $109,010[3]. Hourly, the 10th percentile was $23.18 and the 90th percentile was $64.29[8].

A percentile is a boundary, not a starting salary. BLS publishes percentile wages and no starting salary[9]. The figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include nonproduction bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the states with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage at $111,030[11]. Massachusetts followed at $102,060, then New Jersey at $100,000 and California at $96,980[11]. Oklahoma had the lowest median at $63,000[11].

The most jobs were in California (49,880), Texas (42,900) and Florida (29,680)[12]. New York (23,500) and Pennsylvania (19,810) came next[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $123,730[13]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was next at $118,890, then Bellingham, WA at $109,550[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, 23,380, with a median of $101,050[14].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[11]$111,0304,380
Massachusetts$102,06013,190
New Jersey$100,00013,310
California$96,98049,880
Connecticut$91,8103,610
Delaware$91,0502,150
Vermont$90,4201,960
New York$90,08023,500
Washington$88,79011,130
Rhode Island$87,620970
Minnesota$85,9206,140
Pennsylvania$85,58019,810
Maryland$84,72010,100
Maine$83,7401,790
Oregon$82,9905,360
New Hampshire$82,8001,730
Hawaii$82,5901,270
Colorado$82,4507,740
Illinois$80,55010,650
Virginia$80,38015,190
Wyoming$79,890580
North Dakota$79,440990
Wisconsin$78,8005,710
Indiana$78,7705,120
North Carolina$78,50011,320
Nevada$78,2904,400
Michigan$77,3909,720
Alaska$76,430920
Iowa$75,6203,660
South Carolina$75,4604,760
Idaho$75,4501,660
Texas$75,37042,900
Ohio$75,03011,240
Arizona$74,92012,430
Florida$74,92029,680
Nebraska$73,9203,470
Alabama$72,9903,770
South Dakota$72,6301,130
Louisiana$70,2903,970
Georgia$70,20014,390
Kansas$69,7403,560
Kentucky$69,2404,360
New Mexico$67,9902,400
Mississippi$67,4501,720
Utah$67,3703,760
Missouri$67,2707,000
Montana$66,6601,480
Arkansas$64,6803,120
West Virginia$64,2701,720
Tennessee$63,9607,990
Oklahoma$63,0004,230

How to become a compliance officer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no work experience in a related occupation and moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. Employers may still prefer or require related experience for a given position[15]. The steps look like this:

Some compliance officers, such as those working with asbestos or other hazardous substances rules, might need a state-issued license. The state licensing agency can give details[22]. Professional certification may help some workers[23].

What compliance officers do

ONET describes this group as people who check whether others meet laws and rules for licenses and permits, plus other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis work[24]. The ONET tasks lean toward licensing and permit work. They include:

BLS also says compliance officers must weigh policies and rules and find risks[26]. They explain information when training staff or writing reports[27]. They often answer questions and settle concerns[28]. Workers report titles such as License Examiner, Licensing Analyst and Driver License Examiner[29].

Where they work

Compliance officers usually work in an office, though settings vary. Some jobs involve travel or outdoor work, such as going onsite to deliver training or inspect a site[30]. Government (excluding state and local education and hospitals) was the largest employer in 2025, at 35% of jobs[31]. Full time with standard schedules is the usual pattern. Longer hours can come up, for example during research for an investigation[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 436,400 to 453,100 jobs[2]. That is an increase of 16,700 jobs[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[33]. So the two rates are close.

About 32,700 openings a year are projected on average[5]. Openings include jobs that come up when people retire or switch occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3% of workers leave the labor force and 4% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The job usually needs a bachelor's degree, and training continues after hiring[6]. Pay is well above the all-occupations median, though it varies a lot by place and by percentile[1][4][3]. Projected growth is close to the all-occupations rate, and about 32,700 openings a year are projected[2][33][5]. The work is mostly in offices and involves evaluating rules and explaining them clearly[30][26][27]. Some roles might need a state license, so it is worth checking the rules for your area of interest[22].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[35].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a compliance officer make an hour?
The median was $38.81 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $42.50[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $23.18 and the 90th was $64.29[8].
What degree do you need to be a compliance officer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. Common fields include business, social science and engineering, and some jobs want a degree in a specific area[17].
Is compliance officer a growing job?
Employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. About 32,700 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for compliance officers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median annual wage at $111,030, followed by Massachusetts at $102,060[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Compliance Officers in the US was $80,730 per year and $38.81 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Compliance Officers is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 436,400 to 453,100 jobs (a change of +16,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Compliance Officers: 10th percentile $48,220, 25th percentile $61,280, 75th percentile $109,010, 90th percentile $133,720. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 32,700 openings for Compliance Officers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Compliance Officers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Compliance Officers was $88,400 per year and $42.50 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Compliance Officers: 10th percentile $23.18, 25th percentile $29.46, 75th percentile $52.41, 90th percentile $64.29. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Compliance Officers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Compliance Officers jobs: California 49,880; Texas 42,900; Florida 29,680; New York 23,500; Pennsylvania 19,810. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Compliance Officers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $123,730; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $118,890; Bellingham, WA $109,550; El Centro, CA $106,750; Brunswick-St. Simons, GA $106,330; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $103,940; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $101,230; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $101,050. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Compliance Officers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 23,380 (median $101,050); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 17,700 (median $94,810); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 13,820 (median $100,200); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 12,530 (median $77,760); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 10,920 (median $103,940); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 10,530 (median $79,770). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Compliance Officers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Compliance Officers. O*NET OnLine
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET 13-1041.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Driver Examiner, Driver License Agent, Driver License Examiner, Examiner, License Examiner, License Registration Examiner, Licensing Analyst, Motor Vehicle Clerk. O*NET OnLine
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of compliance officers in 2025: Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals 35%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Compliance Officers: 3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.