Compliance Officers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $54,660 more per year than Compliance Officers professionals — that's 69.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Compliance Officers earns $130,030 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Compliance Officers$46,230 – $130,030
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$46,230$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Compliance Officers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,230 | $79,850 | $-33,620 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,130 | $103,050 | $-43,920 |
| Median (50th) | $78,420 | $133,080 | $-54,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $104,800 | $169,000 | $-64,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $130,030 | $211,450 | $-81,420 |
| Mean (Average) | $84,980 | $144,570 | $-59,590 |
Employment Numbers
Compliance Officers
397,770
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Compliance Officers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,660 (69.7% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Compliance Officers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 397,770 Compliance Officers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Compliance Officers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Compliance Officers has a median salary of $78,420 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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