Accountants and Auditors vs Compliance Officers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $3,260 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 4.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $130,030 for Compliance Officers.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
$46,230$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Compliance Officers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $46,230 | +$6,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $59,130 | +$5,530 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $78,420 | +$3,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $104,800 | +$1,650 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $130,030 | +$11,390 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $84,980 | +$8,540 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Compliance Officers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $118,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $104,000 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $102,500 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $98,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $96,280 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Compliance Officers?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,260 (4.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Compliance Officers?
Compliance Officers salaries range from $46,230 (10th percentile) to $130,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $78,420.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Compliance Officers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 397,770 Compliance Officers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Compliance Officers to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Compliance Officers earns $78,420. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS