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VP of Ethics Salary in the United States

How much does a VP of Ethics make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a VP of Ethics in the United States is $270,109 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $130.

However, a VP of Ethics's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $301,062
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $252,613 to $286,311
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $236,684
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence VP of Ethics Salaries

A VP of Ethics'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects VP of Ethics Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a VP of Ethics'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:

  • Ethics Specialist V (7-10 years): $171,341
  • Ethics Manager (10+ years): $134,368
  • Ethics Senior Manager (10+ years): $185,849
  • Ethics Director (10+ years): $233,019
  • VP of Ethics (10+ years): $270,109
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Ethics Specialist V7-10 years$171,341
Ethics Manager10+ years$134,368
Ethics Senior Manager10+ years$185,849
Ethics Director10+ years$233,019
VP of Ethics10+ years$270,109
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How Do VP of Ethics 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 VP of Ethics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $299,065.
  • California: $297,930.
  • Massachusetts: $293,960.

Top Paying Cities for VP of Ethics

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: $340,688
  • San Francisco: $336,958
  • Oakland: $329,857

VP of Ethics Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

VP of Ethics salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $302,371. While startup companies pay approximate $255,799.

VP of Ethics Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $255,799
Growth Stage 51~500 $270,538
Established 501~5000 $291,993
Enterprise 5000+ $302,371

VP of Ethics Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For VP of Ethics roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 48% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, VP of Ethics positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view VP of Ethics as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a VP of Ethics

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$324,131$156.020%
Biotechnology$310,625$149.015%
Energy & Utilities$310,625$149.015%
Software & Networking$305,223$147.013%
Financial Services$297,120$143.010%

VP of Ethics Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a VP of Ethics'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
$252,613
Average $270,109/year
$286,311
$21,051
Average $22,509/month
$23,859
$4,858
Average $5,194/week
$5,506
$121
Average $130/hour
$138
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $286,311 $23,859 $5,506 $138
Average $270,109 $22,509 $5,194 $130
25th Percentile $252,613 $21,051 $4,858 $121

Most common benefits for VP of Ethics

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

Common company salaries for VP of Ethics

Here are companies hiring for VP of Ethics and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about VP of Ethics

1. Where can a VP of Ethics earn the most?

A VP of Ethics'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 VP of Ethics earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a VP of Ethics is $340,688.

2. What is the highest pay for VP of Ethics?

The highest pay for VP of Ethics is $301,062.

3. What is the lowest pay for VP of Ethics?

The lowest pay for VP of Ethics is $236,684.

4. What are the responsibilities of VP of Ethics?

Leads the overall development, direction, and promotion of the organization's global ethics and compliance function. Designs and develops programs to assess and manage legal and regulatory compliance risks and to establish high ethical standards of conduct for the organization. Ensures that policies reflect domestic and international legal requirements and industry-specific codes governing ethical standards and comply with transparency reporting requirements. Communicates the organization's ethical standards with messaging and delivers employee training programs that raise awareness about ethics-related topics such as Anti-Bribery, Anti-Corruption, Antitrust, Conflicts of Interest, and others. Monitors compliance with policies and investigates and remediates any non-compliant actions. Responsible for maintaining confidential reporting systems allowing employees, customers, contractors, and other stakeholders to disclose violations of the organization's ethical standards, violations of law, or policies without fear of retaliation. Requires a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental function within a broader corporate function. Develops major goals to support broad functional objectives. Approves policies developed within various sub-functions and departments. Typically requires 8+ years of managerial experience. Comprehensive knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for VP of Ethics?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for VP of Ethics roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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