Compliance Managers
SOC code 11-9199 · O*NET-SOC 11-9199.02 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth and numerous job openings for this occupation
Compliance managers make sure an organisation follows the laws and rules of its industry — designing controls, running audits and handling regulators. The role typically builds on experience in the regulated industry itself, and it is among the better-paid management specialisations.
Compliance Managers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$141,900
a year
Hourly
$68.22
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$153,890
$73.99 per hour
Middle 50%
$102,880 – $186,300
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$74,300 – $238,270
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
622,190
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
These pay and employment figures are for the broader BLS group “Managers, All Other”, not this job alone.
- 10th percentile
- $74,300
- $35.72/hr
- 25th percentile
- $102,880
- $49.46/hr
- Median percentile
- $141,900
- $68.22/hr
- 75th percentile
- $186,300
- $89.57/hr
- 90th percentile
- $238,270
- $114.55/hr
What does a compliance manager do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Report violations of compliance or regulatory standards to duly authorized enforcement agencies as appropriate or required.
- Identify compliance issues that require follow-up or investigation.
- Discuss emerging compliance issues to ensure that management and employees are informed about compliance reporting systems, policies, and practices.
- File appropriate compliance reports with regulatory agencies.
- Maintain documentation of compliance activities, such as complaints received or investigation outcomes.
- Consult with corporate attorneys as necessary to address difficult legal compliance issues.
- Conduct or direct the internal investigation of compliance issues.
- Provide employee training on compliance related topics, policies, or procedures.
How to become a compliance manager
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 63% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree63%
- Master's Degree14%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)9%
- Post-Secondary Certificate7%
Common questions
How much does a compliance manager earn?
The national median is $141,900 a year. The full range runs from $74,300 at the 10th percentile to $238,270 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a compliance manager without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Law and Government4.6/5
- English Language4.5/5
- Administration and Management4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.7/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Administrative3.4/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Persuasion, Social Perceptiveness.