Compliance Officers vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Compliance Officers professionals earn $5,510 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 7.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $45,440 | +$790 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $55,870 | +$3,260 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $72,910 | +$5,510 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $97,270 | +$7,530 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $126,540 | +$3,490 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $79,730 | +$5,250 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Human Resources Specialists?
Compliance Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,510 (7.6% 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 Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Compliance Officers and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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