Compliance Officers vs Lawyers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Lawyers professionals earn $72,740 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 92.8% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Lawyers$72,780 – N/A
$46,230$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Lawyers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $72,780 | $-26,550 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $99,760 | $-40,630 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $151,160 | $-72,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $215,420 | $-110,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $182,760 | $-97,780 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Lawyers
747,750
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 Lawyers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $215,090 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $205,900 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $203,450 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $194,740 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $191,880 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Lawyers?
Lawyers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $72,740 (92.8% 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 Lawyers?
Lawyers salaries range from $72,780 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $151,160.
How many Compliance Officers and Lawyers jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 747,750 Lawyers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Lawyers to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Lawyers earns $151,160. 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