As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a VP of Ethics in the United States is $269,925 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:
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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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Ethics Specialist V | 7-10 years | $171,294 |
| Ethics Manager | 10+ years | $134,360 |
| Ethics Senior Manager | 10+ years | $185,768 |
| Ethics Director | 10+ years | $232,870 |
| VP of Ethics | 10+ years | $269,925 |
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 VP of Ethics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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 April 01, 2026Salaries for a VP of Ethics can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $221,263 in 2023 to around $216,707 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of VP of Ethics salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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| 2023 | $221,263 |
| 2024 | $221,607 |
| 2025 | $216,707 |
| 2026 |
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| 2027 |
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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 $340,456.
The highest pay for VP of Ethics is $300,693.
The lowest pay for VP of Ethics is $236,513.
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.
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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