Compliance Officers vs Financial Risk Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn $27,580 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 35.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $182,310 for Financial Risk Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Financial Risk Specialists$62,270 – $182,310
$46,230$182,310
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Financial Risk Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $62,270 | $-16,040 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $80,280 | $-21,150 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $106,000 | $-27,580 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $145,020 | $-40,220 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $182,310 | $-52,280 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $119,930 | $-34,950 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Financial Risk Specialists
56,320
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 Financial Risk Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $141,960 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $140,050 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,420 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $130,750 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $128,440 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $27,580 (35.2% 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 Financial Risk Specialists?
Financial Risk Specialists salaries range from $62,270 (10th percentile) to $182,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,000.
How many Compliance Officers and Financial Risk Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 56,320 Financial Risk Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Risk Specialists to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Financial Risk Specialists earns $106,000. 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