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Audit/Compliance Manager Salary in the United States

How much does an Audit/Compliance Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Audit/Compliance Manager in the United States is $125,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.

However, an Audit/Compliance Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $139,527
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $114,290 to $132,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,184
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Audit/Compliance Manager Salaries

An Audit/Compliance Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Audit/Compliance Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Audit/Compliance Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Audit Operations Supervisor (10+ years): $94,803
  • Audit Operations Senior Supervisor (10+ years): $114,360
  • Audit/Compliance Manager (10+ years): $125,301
  • Audit and Business Controls Senior Manager (10+ years): $177,067
  • Audit and Business Controls Director (10+ years): $213,353
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Audit Operations Supervisor10+ years$94,803
Audit Operations Senior Supervisor10+ years$114,360
Audit/Compliance Manager10+ years$125,301
Audit and Business Controls Senior Manager10+ years$177,067
Audit and Business Controls Director10+ years$213,353
View as Graph

How Do Audit/Compliance Manager Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Audit/Compliance Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $138,790.
  • California: $138,290.
  • Massachusetts: $136,390.

Top Paying Cities for Audit/Compliance Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $158,090
  • San Francisco: $156,390
  • Oakland: $153,090

What Skills Can Increase an Audit/Compliance Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Consulting (Mentioned in 3.76% Job Postings): Providing technical or business expertise and advice to internal or external clients.
  • Financial Statements (Mentioned in 2.08% Job Postings): Obtaining and creating formal records of business activities and cash flows to provide results for financial performance.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 0.84% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
Skills Demand Percentage
Consulting 3.76%
Financial Statements 2.08%
Billing 0.84%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Audit/Compliance Manager's salary.

  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Continuous Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination $131,660
5%
Innovation $130,406
4%
Continuous Improvement $130,406
4%
Get Latest Data

Audit/Compliance Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Audit/Compliance Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $140,129. While startup companies pay approximate $118,534.

Audit/Compliance Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $118,534
Growth Stage 51~500 $125,362
Established 501~5000 $135,312
Enterprise 5000+ $140,129

Audit/Compliance Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Audit/Compliance Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Audit/Compliance Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Audit/Compliance Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Audit/Compliance Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$163,007$78.030%
Biotechnology$156,738$75.025%
Energy & Utilities$150,468$72.020%
Financial Services$150,468$72.020%
Insurance$150,468$72.020%

How Education impacts an Audit/Compliance Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Audit/Compliance Managers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Audit/Compliance Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $132,705 and $141,536).

Audit/Compliance Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Audit/Compliance Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 3.7%
Associates 2.1%
Bachelors 56.1%
Masters 37.2%
Doctorate 0.5%
View as Graph

Audit/Compliance Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Audit/Compliance Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$114,290
Average $125,390/year
$132,790
$9,524
Average $10,449/month
$11,066
$2,198
Average $2,411/week
$2,554
$55
Average $60/hour
$64
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $132,790 $11,066 $2,554 $64
Average $125,390 $10,449 $2,411 $60
25th Percentile $114,290 $9,524 $2,198 $55

Audit/Compliance Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Audit/Compliance Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For an Audit/Compliance Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Audit and Business Controls Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $177,100 - a projected growth of 41% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Audit/Compliance Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Audit/Compliance Manager

Here are companies hiring for Audit/Compliance Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Audit/Compliance Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Audit/Compliance Manager?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Audit/Compliance Manager roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What are the highest paying compliance jobs?

High Paying Compliance Manager Jobs include Audit/Compliance Manager, with a salary range of $126,490 to $158,990 per year. Other roles like Compliance Examiner and Compliance Review Specialist offer lower ranges, but positions such as Senior Compliance Analyst and IT Compliance Analyst also provide competitive salaries within the compliance field.

3. How much do compliance managers make in the US?

The estimated total pay for a Compliance Manager in the US ranges from $126,490 to $158,990 per year, with a mid-salary of $141,990. These figures reflect the salary range based on industry data, providing a clear picture of potential earnings in this role.

4. What is an audit and compliance manager?

An Audit and Compliance Manager is responsible for managing operational and financial compliance audits, addressing management requests, and collaborating with senior leadership. This role reports directly to the CEO, CFO, and General Counsel. The salary for this position ranges from $126,490 to $158,990, with a midpoint of $141,990, reflecting the importance of ensuring regulatory adherence and operational integrity.

5. How much do audit managers get paid?

The salary for an Audit/Compliance Manager ranges from a minimum of $126,490 to a maximum of $158,990, with a mid-range salary of $141,990. This reflects the competitive compensation for professionals in this field, highlighting the value of their expertise and experience.

6. How much does a compliance auditor make?

A compliance auditor typically earns between $126,490 and $158,990 annually, with a median salary of around $141,990. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and industry. For instance, states like California and Washington offer competitive hourly rates, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.

7. Is being an audit manager stressful?

Being an Audit/Compliance Manager can be stressful, especially during peak seasons that require extended work hours. However, the role offers a competitive salary range, with a minimum of $126,490, a mid-level salary of $141,990, and a maximum of $158,990, which can help offset some of the stress associated with the job.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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