Compliance Officers vs Financial Examiners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Examiners professionals earn $11,980 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 15.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $171,540 for Financial Examiners.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Financial Examiners$53,420 – $171,540
$46,230$171,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Financial Examiners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $53,420 | $-7,190 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $66,800 | $-7,670 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $90,400 | $-11,980 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $127,210 | $-22,410 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $171,540 | $-41,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $103,650 | $-18,670 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Financial Examiners
62,830
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 Financial Examiners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $139,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $131,670 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,980 (15.3% 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 Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners salaries range from $53,420 (10th percentile) to $171,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,400.
How many Compliance Officers and Financial Examiners jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 62,830 Financial Examiners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Examiners to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Financial Examiners earns $90,400. 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