Compliance Officers vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Compliance Officers professionals earn $43,840 more per year than Retail Salespersons professionals — that's 126.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$25,600$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $25,600 | +$20,630 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $29,140 | +$29,990 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $34,580 | +$43,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $37,850 | +$66,950 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $47,930 | +$82,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $37,150 | +$47,830 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Retail Salespersons?
Compliance Officers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $43,840 (126.8% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Compliance Officers and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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