Compliance Officer salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Compliance Officers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $86,260 a year ($41.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,110 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,740 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $80,730. Pay here is 14% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $75,460. There are 2.8 compliance officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compliance officers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| 25th percentile | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Median | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| 75th percentile | $109,300 | $52.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| Average (mean) | $89,570 | $43.06 |
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 | $7,188.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,594.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,317.69 |
| Weekly | $1,658.85 |
| Hourly | $41.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Compliance Officer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $86,720 | 3,240 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $75,690 | 680 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $73,590 | 130 |
| Sumter, SC | $73,320 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $72,990 | 1,120 |
| Florence, SC | $68,520 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $68,500 | 230 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $64,260 | 480 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $64,150 | 120 |
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 |
See Compliance Officer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| Project Management Specialist | $94,730 | $45.54 |
| Management Analyst | $104,650 | $50.31 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,580 | $33.93 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $65,650 | $31.56 |
| Logistician | $82,780 | $39.80 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $70,680 | $33.98 |
| Cost Estimator | $73,130 | $35.16 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| Fundraiser | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $67,970 | $32.68 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $78,050 | $37.52 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for compliance officers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $86,260 a year, or $41.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $130,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compliance officers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of compliance officers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $130,740 a year. The top 25% earn $109,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for compliance officers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,500 a year, and a quarter of compliance officers earn $62,070 or less.
How many compliance officers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 1,110 compliance officers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.