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Compliance Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Compliance Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Compliance Manager in the United States is $128,430 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $150,228
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $116,129 to $139,840
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $104,930
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Compliance Manager Salaries

A 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 Compliance Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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:

  • Compliance Specialist V (7-10 years): $159,818
  • Compliance Supervisor (10+ years): $104,695
  • Compliance Manager (10+ years): $128,430
  • Compliance Manager, Senior (10+ years): $162,134
  • Compliance Director (10+ years): $184,860
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Compliance Specialist V7-10 years$159,818
Compliance Supervisor10+ years$104,695
Compliance Manager10+ years$128,430
Compliance Manager, Senior10+ years$162,134
Compliance Director10+ years$184,860
View as Graph

How Do 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 Compliance Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $142,198.
  • California: $141,658.
  • Massachusetts: $139,770.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $161,989
  • San Francisco: $160,215
  • Oakland: $156,839

What Skills Can Increase a Compliance Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.4% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Risk Assessment (Mentioned in 2.25% Job Postings): Broadly speaking, a risk assessment is the combined effort of: identifying and analyzing potential (future) events that may negatively impact individuals, assets, and/or the environment (i.e. risk analysis); and making judgments "on the tolerability of the risk on the basis of a risk analysis" while considering influencing factors (i.e. risk evaluation).Put in simpler terms, a risk assessment analyzes what can go wrong, how likely it is to happen, what the potential consequences are, and how tolerable the identified risk is. As part of this process, the resulting determination of risk may be expressed in a quantitative or qualitative fashion. The risk assessment is an inherent part of an overall risk management strategy, which attempts to, after a risk assessment, "introduce control measures to eliminate or reduce" any potential risk-related consequences.
  • Financial Services (Mentioned in 1.45% Job Postings): A services provided by the finance industry, which encompasses a broad range of businesses that manage money. These services involve banking, brokerage, mortgages, credit cards, payment services, real estate, investment funds, taxes and accounting.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.4%
Risk Assessment 2.25%
Financial Services 1.45%
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 Compliance Manager's salary.

  • Information Security: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Analytical Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Fintech: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Information Security $136,136
6%
Analytical Skills $136,136
6%
Fintech $134,852
5%
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Compliance Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Compliance Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $143,526. While startup companies pay approximate $121,408.

Compliance Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $121,408
Growth Stage 51~500 $128,401
Established 501~5000 $138,593
Enterprise 5000+ $143,526

Compliance Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Compliance Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Compliance Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Compliance Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Compliance Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$192,645$93.050%
Financial Services$179,802$86.040%
Biotechnology$166,959$80.030%
Pharmaceuticals$160,538$77.025%
Aerospace & Defense$154,116$74.020%

How Education impacts a Compliance Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Compliance Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Compliance Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $124,262 and $133,169.

Compliance Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Compliance Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.2%
High School 7.5%
Associates 5.8%
Bachelors 42.5%
Masters 25.2%
Doctorate 18.9%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a 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
$116,129
Average $128,430/year
$139,840
$9,677
Average $10,703/month
$11,653
$2,233
Average $2,470/week
$2,689
$56
Average $62/hour
$67
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $139,840 $11,653 $2,689 $67
Average $128,430 $10,703 $2,470 $62
25th Percentile $116,129 $9,677 $2,233 $56

Compliance Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Compliance Manager

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Compliance Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Compliance Manager, Senior $162,134 26%
International Compliance Senior Manager $146,272 14%

Most common benefits for Compliance Manager

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

Common company salaries for Compliance Manager

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

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FAQ about Compliance Manager

1. Where can a Compliance Manager earn the most?

A Compliance Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Compliance Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Compliance Manager is $161,989.

2. What is the highest pay for Compliance Manager?

The highest pay for Compliance Manager is $150,228.

3. What is the lowest pay for Compliance Manager?

The lowest pay for Compliance Manager is $104,930.

4. What are the responsibilities of Compliance Manager?

Manages the compliance programs, policies, reporting, and practices for an organization or business. Ensures that all activities follow regulatory requirements related to the governance of the organization as well as any industry-specific or location-specific laws. Oversees internal controls and auditing systems that monitor and report on regulated activities and processes. Implements risk-based compliance testing of existing procedures and controls to identify, detect, and correct noncompliance. Evaluates and implements changes to compliance processes due to new or amended regulations. Delivers communication and training initiatives that inform stakeholders about compliance requirements. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Compliance Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Compliance Manager roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

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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