upper level job

Hourly Wage for Compliance Specialist I Salary in the United States

What is the highest and lowest hourly pay for Compliance Specialist I?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Compliance Specialist I in the United States is $31, which translates to an annual salary of about $63,987.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $35 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $28 to $33 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $26 per hour

Key Factors That Influence Compliance Specialist I Salaries

A Compliance Specialist I'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 Specialist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Compliance Specialist I'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 I (0-2 years): $63,987
  • Compliance Specialist II (2-4 years): $76,460
  • Compliance Specialist III (4-7 years): $94,943
  • Compliance Specialist IV (7+ years): $118,060
  • Compliance Specialist V (7-10 years): $159,812
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Compliance Specialist I0-2 years$63,987
Compliance Specialist II2-4 years$76,460
Compliance Specialist III4-7 years$94,943
Compliance Specialist IV7+ years$118,060
Compliance Specialist V7-10 years$159,812

Top Paying Cities for Compliance Specialist I

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: $80,707
  • San Francisco: $79,823
  • Oakland: $78,141

What Skills Can Increase a Compliance Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.91% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Internal Audit (Mentioned in 1.67% Job Postings): Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value to and improve an organization's operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. Internal auditing achieves this by providing insight and recommendations based on analyses and assessments of data and business processes. With commitment to integrity and accountability, internal auditing provides value to governing bodies and senior management as an objective source of independent advice. Professionals called internal auditors are employed by organizations to perform the internal auditing activity. The scope of internal auditing within an organization is broad and may involve topics such as an organization's governance, risk management and management controls over: efficiency/effectiveness of operations (including safeguarding of assets), the reliability of financial and management reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations. Internal auditing may also involve conducting proactive fraud audits to identify potentially fraudulent acts; participating in fraud investigations under the direction of fraud investigation professionals, and conducting post investigation fraud audits to identify control breakdowns and establish financial loss.
  • Property Management (Mentioned in 1.41% Job Postings): Property management is the operation, control, and oversight of real estate management indicates a need to be cared for, monitored and accountability given for its useful life and condition. This is much akin to the role of management in any business. Property management is also the management of personal property, equipment, tooling, and physical capital assets that are acquired and used to build, repair, and maintain end item deliverables. Property management involves the processes, systems, and manpower required to manage the life cycle of all acquired property as defined above including acquisition, control, accountability, responsibility, maintenance, utilization, and disposition. For example, an owner of a single family may engage the services of a property management company. The company will then advertise the rental property, handle tenant inquiries, screen applicants, select suitable candidates, draw up a lease agreement, conduct a move in inspection, move the tenant(s) into the property and collect rental income. The company will then coordinate any maintenance issues, supply the owner(s) with financial statements and any relevant information regarding the property etc.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.91%
Internal Audit 1.67%
Property Management 1.41%

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 Specialist I's salary.

  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Risk Assessment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Consulting $68,466
7%
Risk Management $67,826
6%
Risk Assessment $67,826
6%

Compliance Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Compliance Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,630. While startup companies pay approximate $60,597.

Compliance Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $60,597
Growth Stage 51~500 $64,089
Established 501~5000 $69,171
Enterprise 5000+ $71,630

Compliance Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Compliance Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Insurance and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Compliance Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Compliance Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Compliance Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$79,984$38.025%
Energy & Utilities$76,784$37.020%
Biotechnology$75,505$36.018%
Software & Networking$73,585$35.015%
Aerospace & Defense$71,665$34.012%

How Education impacts an Compliance Specialist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Compliance Specialist I 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 Specialist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $62,476 and $66,172.

Compliance Specialist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Compliance Specialist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.3%
High School 8.3%
Associates 4.2%
Bachelors 45.8%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 16.7%

Compliance Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Compliance Specialist I'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 August 01, 2026
$58,557
Average $63,987/year
$68,743
$4,880
Average $5,332/month
$5,729
$1,126
Average $1,231/week
$1,322
$28
Average $31/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,743 $5,729 $1,322 $33
Average $63,987 $5,332 $1,231 $31
25th Percentile $58,557 $4,880 $1,126 $28

Most common benefits for Compliance Specialist I

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

Common company salaries for Compliance Specialist I

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

Find Your Next Compliance Specialist I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Compliance Specialist I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Compliance Specialist I

1. What are the responsibilities of Compliance Specialist I?

Supports the development and implementation of compliance programs, policies, reporting, and practices for an organization or business. Monitors activities impacted by regulatory requirements related to the organization's governance and any industry-specific or location-specific laws. Utilizes established internal controls and auditing systems to identify, detect, and correct noncompliance. Implements changes to compliance processes due to new or amended regulations. Prepares and updates communication materials. Assists with training initiatives that inform stakeholders about compliance requirements. Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.

2. What are the skills of Compliance Specialist I

Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.

1.)

Customer Service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.

2.)

Internal Audit: Internal auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value to and improve an organization's operations. It helps an organization accomplish its objectives by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes. Internal auditing achieves this by providing insight and recommendations based on analyses and assessments of data and business processes. With commitment to integrity and accountability, internal auditing provides value to governing bodies and senior management as an objective source of independent advice. Professionals called internal auditors are employed by organizations to perform the internal auditing activity. The scope of internal auditing within an organization is broad and may involve topics such as an organization's governance, risk management and management controls over: efficiency/effectiveness of operations (including safeguarding of assets), the reliability of financial and management reporting, and compliance with laws and regulations. Internal auditing may also involve conducting proactive fraud audits to identify potentially fraudulent acts; participating in fraud investigations under the direction of fraud investigation professionals, and conducting post investigation fraud audits to identify control breakdowns and establish financial loss.

3.)

Property Management: Property management is the operation, control, and oversight of real estate management indicates a need to be cared for, monitored and accountability given for its useful life and condition. This is much akin to the role of management in any business. Property management is also the management of personal property, equipment, tooling, and physical capital assets that are acquired and used to build, repair, and maintain end item deliverables. Property management involves the processes, systems, and manpower required to manage the life cycle of all acquired property as defined above including acquisition, control, accountability, responsibility, maintenance, utilization, and disposition. For example, an owner of a single family may engage the services of a property management company. The company will then advertise the rental property, handle tenant inquiries, screen applicants, select suitable candidates, draw up a lease agreement, conduct a move in inspection, move the tenant(s) into the property and collect rental income. The company will then coordinate any maintenance issues, supply the owner(s) with financial statements and any relevant information regarding the property etc.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst