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Director, Ethics & Compliance Salary in the United States

How much does a Director, Ethics & Compliance make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Director, Ethics & Compliance in the United States is $179,263 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $86.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $195,441
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $161,621 to $187,731
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $145,559
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Director, Ethics & Compliance Salaries

A Director, Ethics & Compliance'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 Director, Ethics & Compliance Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Director, Ethics & Compliance'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $167,201
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $168,875
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $171,107
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $173,897
  • Expert (over 8 years): $176,687
Levels Salary
Entry Level Director, Ethics & Compliance$167,201
Intermediate Level Director, Ethics & Compliance$168,875
Senior Level Director, Ethics & Compliance$171,107
Specialist Level Director, Ethics & Compliance$173,897
Expert Level Director, Ethics & Compliance$176,687
View as Graph

How Do Director, Ethics & Compliance 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 Director, Ethics & Compliances. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $198,480.
  • California: $197,727.
  • Massachusetts: $195,092.

Top Paying Cities for Director, Ethics & Compliances

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: $226,104
  • San Francisco: $223,629
  • Oakland: $218,916

What Skills Can Increase a Director, Ethics & Compliance's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 10.81% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Telecommunications Management (Mentioned in 5.41% Job Postings): The Telecommunications Management Network is a protocol model defined by ITU-T for managing open systems in a communications network.
  • Business Administration (Mentioned in 2.7% Job Postings): It is the management of all aspects of a business's performance, decisions, and organization. It includes the day to day operations, aspects including finances and human resources, and ensures the company stays aligned to the goal or mission.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 10.81%
Telecommunications Management 5.41%
Business Administration 2.7%
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 Director, Ethics & Compliance's salary.

  • Auditing: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Auditing $220,493
23%
Coordination $197,189
10%
Leadership $191,811
7%
Get Latest Data

Director, Ethics & Compliance Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Director, Ethics & Compliance roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 50% above the average. Conversely, Director, Ethics & Compliance positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Director, Ethics & Compliance as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Director, Ethics & Compliance

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$268,894$129.050%

How Education impacts a Director, Ethics & Compliance's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Director, Ethics & Compliances 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 Director, Ethics & Compliance with a Bachelor's Degree is between $148,846 and $162,862).

Director, Ethics & Compliance Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Director, Ethics & Compliance
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 11.8%
High School 11.8%
Associates 5.9%
Bachelors 5.9%
Masters 64.7%
Doctorate 11.8%
View as Graph

Director, Ethics & Compliance Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Director, Ethics & Compliance'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
$161,621
Average $179,263/year
$187,731
$13,468
Average $14,939/month
$15,644
$3,108
Average $3,447/week
$3,610
$78
Average $86/hour
$90
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $187,731 $15,644 $3,610 $90
Average $179,263 $14,939 $3,447 $86
25th Percentile $161,621 $13,468 $3,108 $78

Most common benefits for Director, Ethics & Compliance

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

Common company salaries for Director, Ethics & Compliance

Here are companies hiring for Director, Ethics & Compliance and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Director, Ethics & Compliance

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Director, Ethics & Compliance?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Director, Ethics & Compliance 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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