What Compliance Officers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Compliance Officers this way: "Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Warn violators of infractions or penalties"; "Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues"; "Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations"; "Prepare reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations, or decisions"; "Report law or regulation violations to appropriate boards or agencies".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Compliance Officers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 436,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 453,100 in 2035, an increase of 16,700 jobs (+3.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 32,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $80,730, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Compliance Officers earn the most
Across the 17 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $71,227 in Georgia to $101,812 in New Hampshire, a gap of $30,584 (1.43 times). 10 of those 17 states average above the BLS national median of $80,730 and 7 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 47,590, which is 12.9% of the 369,690 counted across them. Texas follows with 40,490.
Highest-paying states
New Hampshire ($101,812), District of Columbia ($100,200) and Massachusetts ($100,047) lead the ranking, while Georgia ($71,227) and Florida ($73,711) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Compliance Officers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 20 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $55,375. The smallest margin is $30,179 in Fulton County, GA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 20 of the 20 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 16.8% and 43.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Compliance Officers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-1000) include Management Analysts, Project Management Specialists, Logisticians and Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists.
Frequently asked questions about Compliance Officers
How much do Compliance Officers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $80,730. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $71,227 to $101,812.
Which state pays Compliance Officers the most?
New Hampshire, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $101,812. District of Columbia is next at $100,200.
Is Compliance Officers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 3.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 32,700 openings a year.
What education do Compliance Officers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Compliance Officers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $55,375 on a median wage of $100,200.