Compliance Officers vs Human Resources Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn $61,610 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 78.6% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Human Resources Managers$83,790 – N/A
$46,230$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Human Resources Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $83,790 | $-37,560 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $105,590 | $-46,460 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $140,030 | $-61,610 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $189,960 | $-85,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $160,480 | $-75,500 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Human Resources Managers
215,520
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 Human Resources Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $176,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $161,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $155,390 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $147,070 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $61,610 (78.6% 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 Human Resources Managers?
Human Resources Managers salaries range from $83,790 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $140,030.
How many Compliance Officers and Human Resources Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 215,520 Human Resources Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Managers to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Human Resources Managers earns $140,030. 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