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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Compliance Associate in California is $107,366 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.
However, a Compliance Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Compliance Associate Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $120,535 | $10,045 | $2,318 | $58 |
| Average | $107,366 | $8,947 | $2,065 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,072 | $7,756 | $1,790 | $45 |
MACT Health Board Inc - Sonora, CA
GLIDE - San Francisco, CA
VETERANS VILLAGE OF SAN DIEGO, INC - San Diego, CA
Aristotle Capital Management - Los Angeles, CA
A Compliance Associate'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Compliance Associate'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Complianc... Level Compliance Associate | $71,707 |
| Complianc... Level Compliance Associate | $85,685 |
| Complianc... Level Compliance Associate | $106,398 |
| Complianc... Level Compliance Associate | $132,304 |
| Complianc... Level Compliance Associate | $179,093 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Compliance Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Compliance Associate positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Compliance Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $128,839 | $62.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $128,839 | $62.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $128,839 | $62.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $128,839 | $62.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Compliance Associate'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $120,535 | $10,045 | $2,318 | $58 |
| Average | $107,366 | $8,947 | $2,065 | $52 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,072 | $7,756 | $1,790 | $45 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Compliance Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Chime
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Job Description. Job Description. . Job Summary. The Associate Director of Compliance ensures regulatory and compliance requirements are met for all proper... more
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ACL Digital
San Diego, CA
ACL Digital | San Diego, CA
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