Compliance Officers vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $34,170 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 43.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$46,230$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $63,650 | $-17,420 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $82,630 | $-23,500 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $112,590 | $-34,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $155,810 | $-51,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $194,410 | $-64,380 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $124,590 | $-39,610 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $34,170 (43.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Compliance Officers and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data Scientists to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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