Compliance Officer salary in California
Compliance Officers in California earn a median of $96,980 a year ($46.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 49,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,280 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $80,730. California ranks 4th of 51 states for compliance officers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.7 compliance officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compliance officers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| 25th percentile | $71,240 | $34.25 |
| Median | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| 75th percentile | $127,380 | $61.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $158,280 | $76.09 |
| Average (mean) | $102,490 | $49.27 |
Half of compliance officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,081.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,040.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,730 |
| Weekly | $1,865 |
| Hourly | $46.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $96,980 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Compliance Officer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $123,730 | 2,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $118,890 | 7,500 |
| El Centro, CA | $106,750 | 840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $101,230 | 6,120 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $95,220 | 2,820 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $94,810 | 17,700 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $94,420 | 410 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $92,690 | 690 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $91,570 | 160 |
| Salinas, CA | $91,210 | 250 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $86,510 | 200 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $85,780 | 400 |
| Chico, CA | $84,080 | 240 |
| Merced, CA | $84,020 | 150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $83,470 | 430 |
| Yuba City, CA | $82,630 | 90 |
| Vallejo, CA | $80,140 | 280 |
| Redding, CA | $80,050 | 130 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $80,040 | 700 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $79,920 | 3,480 |
| Fresno, CA | $79,830 | 1,010 |
| Napa, CA | $79,810 | 150 |
| Modesto, CA | $79,600 | 290 |
| Visalia, CA | $73,860 | 180 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $72,960 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for compliance officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,030 |
| Massachusetts | $102,060 |
| New Jersey | $100,000 |
| California | $96,980 |
| Connecticut | $91,810 |
| Delaware | $91,050 |
| Vermont | $90,420 |
| New York | $90,080 |
| Washington | $88,790 |
| Rhode Island | $87,620 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Management Analyst | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,910 | $58.13 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Logistician | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| Fundraiser | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a compliance officer make in California?
The median salary for compliance officers in California is $96,980 a year, or $46.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $158,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compliance officers make in California?
The top 10% of compliance officers in California earn at least $158,280 a year. The top 25% earn $127,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for compliance officers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,530 a year, and a quarter of compliance officers earn $71,240 or less.
How many compliance officers work in California?
About 49,880 compliance officers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.