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Chief Compliance Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a Chief Compliance Officer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Chief Compliance Officer in the United States is $234,401 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $113.

However, a Chief Compliance Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $280,825
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $218,801 to $258,701
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $204,598
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Chief Compliance Officer Salaries

A Chief Compliance Officer'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 Chief Compliance Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Chief Compliance Officer'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:

  • Corporate Compliance Supervisor (10+ years): $104,695
  • Corporate Compliance Manager (10+ years): $128,430
  • Regulatory Compliance Senior Manager (10+ years): $162,134
  • Corporate Compliance Director (10+ years): $184,860
  • Chief Compliance Officer (10+ years): $234,367
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Corporate Compliance Supervisor10+ years$104,695
Corporate Compliance Manager10+ years$128,430
Regulatory Compliance Senior Manager10+ years$162,134
Corporate Compliance Director10+ years$184,860
Chief Compliance Officer10+ years$234,367
View as Graph

How Do Chief Compliance Officer 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 Chief Compliance Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $259,501.
  • California: $258,601.
  • Massachusetts: $255,101.

Top Paying Cities for Chief Compliance Officers

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: $295,701
  • San Francisco: $292,401
  • Oakland: $286,301

What Skills Can Increase a Chief Compliance Officer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 50% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Capital Market (Mentioned in 50% Job Postings): Capital markets are financial markets that bring buyers and sellers together to trade stocks, bonds, currencies, and other financial assets. It allows traders to buy and sell stocks and bonds, and enable businesses to raise financial capital to grow.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 50%
Capital Market 50%
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 a Chief Compliance Officer's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Capital Market: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $243,777
4%
Capital Market $241,433
3%
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Chief Compliance Officer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Chief Compliance Officer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $261,953. While startup companies pay approximate $221,585.

Chief Compliance Officer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $221,585
Growth Stage 51~500 $234,349
Established 501~5000 $252,949
Enterprise 5000+ $261,953

Chief Compliance Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Chief Compliance Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 89% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Chief Compliance Officer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Chief Compliance Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Chief Compliance Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$304,721$147.030%
Energy & Utilities$285,969$137.022%
Software & Networking$281,281$135.020%
Pharmaceuticals$269,561$130.015%
Aerospace & Defense$262,529$126.012%

How Education impacts a Chief Compliance Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Chief Compliance Officers enter the field with a Bachelor'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 a Chief Compliance Officer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $233,582 and $256,522).

Chief Compliance Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Chief Compliance Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.7%
High School 8.7%
Associates 4.6%
Bachelors 26.0%
Masters 24.5%
Doctorate 36.2%
View as Graph

Chief Compliance Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Chief Compliance Officer'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
$218,801
Average $234,401/year
$258,701
$18,233
Average $19,533/month
$21,558
$4,208
Average $4,508/week
$4,975
$105
Average $113/hour
$124
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $258,701 $21,558 $4,975 $124
Average $234,401 $19,533 $4,508 $113
25th Percentile $218,801 $18,233 $4,208 $105

Most common benefits for Chief Compliance Officer

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

Common company salaries for Chief Compliance Officer

Here are companies hiring for Chief Compliance Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Chief Compliance Officer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Chief Compliance Officer?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Chief Compliance Officer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. Do you need a law degree to be a chief compliance officer?

The belief that chief compliance officers need law degrees reflects a misunderstanding of the CCO role. Effective compliance requires strong communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and project management skills. Chief Compliance Officers can expect salaries ranging from $214,301 to $298,701, with a median salary of $254,101, highlighting the role's significance in organizations.

3. How to become a CCO of a company?

To become a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), follow these 6 steps: Finish high school or obtain a GED. Complete a bachelor's degree. Gain relevant experience in compliance or related fields. Consider earning a master's degree for advancement. Develop strong management skills. Finally, apply for a promotion. CCOs earn between $214,301 and $298,701, with a median salary of $254,101.

4. How much do CCO make in the US?

The salary for a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) in the US ranges from a minimum of $214,301 to a maximum of $298,701, with a mid-salary of $254,101. This reflects the competitive compensation for this role, emphasizing the importance of compliance in organizations.

5. Who does the CCO report to?

The Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Additionally, the CCO is responsible for informing the Board about significant issues and material violations. The salary range for a CCO typically falls between $214,301 and $298,701, with a mid-salary of $254,101.

6. What are the highest paying compliance jobs?

High-paying compliance jobs include Chief Compliance Officer, with salaries ranging from $214,301 to $298,701. Other roles like Compliance Examiner and Compliance Review Specialist offer lower ranges, typically between $67,500 and $123,500. Senior Compliance Analyst and IT Compliance Analyst also command competitive salaries, reflecting the growing importance of compliance in organizations.

7. How much does a chief compliance officer make in the US?

A Chief Compliance Officer in the US typically earns between $214,301 and $298,701 annually. The average salary is around $254,101 per year, reflecting the critical role they play in ensuring regulatory compliance within organizations.

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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