Compliance Officer Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · High Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $122,868 | +55.0% | High |
| District of Columbia | $120,490 | +52.0% | High |
| California | $112,563 | +42.0% | High |
| New York | $109,393 | +38.0% | High |
| Alaska | $104,636 | +32.0% | High |
| Massachusetts | $103,051 | +30.0% | High |
| New Jersey | $101,466 | +28.0% | High |
| Washington | $99,088 | +25.0% | High |
| Connecticut | $96,709 | +22.0% | High |
| Maryland | $91,160 | +15.0% | High |
| Rhode Island | $91,160 | +15.0% | High |
| New Hampshire | $90,368 | +14.0% | High |
| Oregon | $88,782 | +12.0% | High |
| Colorado | $87,197 | +10.0% | High |
| Virginia | $87,197 | +10.0% | High |
| Vermont | $85,612 | +8.0% | High |
| Delaware | $83,234 | +5.0% | High |
| Illinois | $83,234 | +5.0% | High |
| Maine | $80,855 | +2.0% | High |
| Nevada | $80,855 | +2.0% | High |
| Minnesota | $79,270 | +0.0% | High |
| Utah | $79,270 | +0.0% | High |
| Arizona | $78,477 | -1.0% | High |
| Pennsylvania | $78,477 | -1.0% | High |
| Florida | $77,685 | -2.0% | High |
| Montana | $75,306 | -5.0% | High |
| Texas | $75,306 | -5.0% | High |
| Georgia | $73,721 | -7.0% | High |
| Idaho | $73,721 | -7.0% | High |
| Wyoming | $73,721 | -7.0% | High |
| North Dakota | $72,928 | -8.0% | High |
| Wisconsin | $72,928 | -8.0% | High |
| North Carolina | $72,136 | -9.0% | High |
| Michigan | $71,343 | -10.0% | High |
| Louisiana | $69,758 | -12.0% | High |
| Nebraska | $69,758 | -12.0% | High |
| New Mexico | $69,758 | -12.0% | High |
| Ohio | $69,758 | -12.0% | High |
| South Carolina | $69,758 | -12.0% | High |
| Tennessee | $69,758 | -12.0% | High |
| Alabama | $68,965 | -13.0% | High |
| Missouri | $68,965 | -13.0% | High |
| South Dakota | $68,965 | -13.0% | High |
| Iowa | $68,172 | -14.0% | High |
| Indiana | $67,380 | -15.0% | High |
| Kansas | $67,380 | -15.0% | High |
| Oklahoma | $66,587 | -16.0% | High |
| Arkansas | $65,794 | -17.0% | High |
| Kentucky | $65,794 | -17.0% | High |
| Mississippi | $63,416 | -20.0% | High |
| West Virginia | $61,831 | -22.0% | High |
A Compliance Officer's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Compliance Officers typically earn $45,474–$64,450 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $107,146–$124,761 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Compliance Officer role currently has high demand in the job market with a 3.2% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Finance sector.
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What is the average salary for a Compliance Officer?The average salary for a Compliance Officer in the United States is $79,270 per year, with a median of $70,050.
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What is the starting salary for a Compliance Officer?Entry-level Compliance Officers typically earn between $45,474 and $64,450 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Compliance Officers the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Compliance Officers the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Compliance Officer make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $79,270, a Compliance Officer earns approximately $38.11 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Compliance Officer a good career in 2026?Yes — the Compliance Officer role has high demand with 3.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.