Compliance Officer: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Compliance Officers earn a national median of $78,420/yr with 3% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in English Language, Law and Government, Customer and Personal Service.

Median Salary

$78,420

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

3%

About as fast as average

Employed Nationally

397,770

2024 data

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Compliance Officer

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Compliance Officer candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Reading Comprehension 2 Active Listening 3 Speaking 4 Critical Thinking 5 Writing 6 Judgment and Decision Making 7 Complex Problem Solving 8 Social Perceptiveness 9 Active Learning 10 Monitoring

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Compliance Officer performance, based on verified occupational data.

English Language Law and Government Customer and Personal Service Administrative Computers and Electronics

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Compliance Officer roles.

Geographic information system GIS systems Autodesk AutoCAD

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 3% for Compliance Officer roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's about as fast as average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
397,770
Projected Growth
3%
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree

Top Employers

Companies actively hiring for Compliance Officer roles, ranked by disclosure volume. Salaries reflect base pay from employer disclosure records.

Company Median Disclosed Salary Filings
Capital One Financial $61,866 4

Base salary only — excludes equity and bonuses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Compliance Officer do?
Compliance Officers apply expertise in English Language, Law and Government, Customer and Personal Service to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking.
How much does a Compliance Officer make?
The national median salary for a Compliance Officer is $78,420 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Compliance Officer a good career in 2026?
Employment for Compliance Officer roles is projected to grow 3% over the 2024–2034 decade — about as fast as average compared to all occupations. There are currently 397,770 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Compliance Officer?
The typical entry-level education for a Compliance Officer is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Compliance Officers need?
The most important skills for Compliance Officer roles based on verified occupational data: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking, Writing, Judgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness, Active Learning, Monitoring. Key tools and technologies include: Geographic information system GIS systems, Autodesk AutoCAD.

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Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.