Compliance Officers vs Public Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Compliance Officers professionals earn $8,640 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 12.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $40,750 | +$5,480 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $51,970 | +$7,160 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $69,780 | +$8,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $95,940 | +$8,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $129,480 | +$550 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $80,310 | +$4,670 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Public Relations Specialists?
Compliance Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $8,640 (12.4% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Compliance Officers and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public Relations Specialists to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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