Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Compliance officers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. They often receive training on the job. Employers may prefer or require candidates to have experience related to the position. PayThe median annual wage for compliance officers was $80,730 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of compliance officers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 32,700 openings for compliance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for compliance officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of compliance officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about compliance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for compliance officers was $80,730 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of compliance officers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 32,700 openings for compliance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for compliance officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of compliance officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about compliance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of compliance officers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 32,700 openings for compliance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for compliance officers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of compliance officers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about compliance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Compliance officers make sure that people and organizations meet legal and regulatory requirements.
Work Environment
Compliance officers work for a variety of employers, usually in an office setting. Most work full time.
How to Become a Compliance Officer
Compliance officers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. They often receive training on the job. Employers may prefer or require candidates to have experience related to the position.
Pay
The median annual wage for compliance officers was $80,730 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of compliance officers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 32,700 openings for compliance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for compliance officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of compliance officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about compliance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Compliance officers work for a variety of employers, usually in an office setting. Most work full time.
How to Become a Compliance Officer
Compliance officers typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. They often receive training on the job. Employers may prefer or require candidates to have experience related to the position.
Pay
The median annual wage for compliance officers was $80,730 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of compliance officers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 32,700 openings for compliance officers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for compliance officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of compliance officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about compliance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for compliance officers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of compliance officers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about compliance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about compliance officers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.