Compliance Officers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $22,330 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 28.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$46,230$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $59,830 | $-13,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $76,950 | $-17,820 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $100,750 | $-22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $131,660 | $-26,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $165,790 | $-35,760 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $108,100 | $-23,120 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $22,330 (28.5% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Compliance Officers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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