Compliance Officers vs Personal Financial Advisors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Personal Financial Advisors professionals earn $23,720 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 30.2% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Personal Financial Advisors$49,990 – N/A
$46,230$130,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Personal Financial Advisors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $49,990 | $-3,760 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $70,620 | $-11,490 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $102,140 | $-23,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $172,540 | $-67,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $160,210 | $-75,230 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Personal Financial Advisors
270,480
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 Personal Financial Advisors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $168,350 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $157,510 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,400 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $126,690 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,720 (30.2% 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 Personal Financial Advisors?
Personal Financial Advisors salaries range from $49,990 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,140.
How many Compliance Officers and Personal Financial Advisors jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 270,480 Personal Financial Advisors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Personal Financial Advisors to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Personal Financial Advisors earns $102,140. 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