How Much Does a Regulatory Compliance Manager Make? (2025)
A regulatory compliance manager oversees an organization's compliance programs, policies, and reporting to ensure all activities adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and governance standards. They also manage internal controls, conduct risk-based compliance testing, implement updates for regulatory changes, and provide training and communication to keep stakeholders informed.
You can expect this role to come with competitive pay, and, in some organizations, additional bonus opportunities tied to performance or compliance success metrics. The salary of a regulatory compliance manager is greatly influenced by factors such as experience and location. For 2025, Salary.com shows the average annual salary for a regulatory compliance manager in the United States to be $128,420.
Here are additional insights into regulatory compliance manager's salary trends, top-paying cities in the US, ways to increase earnings, and common questions about the job.
What is the Average Regulatory Compliance Manager's Salary?
As mentioned, the projected annual average salary for regulatory compliance managers in the United States for 2025 is $128,420. As of October 28, 2025, regulatory compliance manager salary range in the U.S is $104,883 to $150,027, with most earnings between $116,100 to $139,730 annually.
2025 Regulatory Compliance Manager Average Salary: $128,420 per year ($62 per hour)
A regulatory compliance manager's monthly salary is $10,702 on average, while the weekly rate is $2,470 on average. Meanwhile, a regulatory compliance manager's salary per hour is $62, according to a Salary.com report.
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $50 | $2,017 | $8,740 | $104,883 |
| 25th Percentile | $56 | $2,233 | $9,675 | $116,100 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $62 | $2,470 | $10,702 | $128,420 |
| 75th Percentile | $67 | $2,687 | $11,644 | $139,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $72 | $2,885 | $12,502 | $150,027 |
Regulatory Compliance Manager Salaries State by State
Regulatory compliance manager salaries can be highly variable across states, depending on factors such as local economic conditions, cost of living, and the strength of industry sectors.
For example, the highest average annual salary for a regulatory compliance manager in the United States is $142,190 in the District of Columbia, while the lowest is $114,530 in Mississippi.
| States | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $139,010 |
| Alabama | $117,980 |
| Arkansas | $116,020 |
| Arizona | $125,130 |
| California | $141,650 |
| Colorado | $131,030 |
| Connecticut | $137,240 |
| District of Columbia | $142,190 |
| Delaware | $130,050 |
| Florida | $121,510 |
| Georgia | $123,860 |
| Hawaii | $134,220 |
| Iowa | $122,900 |
| Idaho | $119,880 |
| Illinois | $130,900 |
| Indiana | $123,270 |
| Kansas | $122,280 |
| Kentucky | $120,840 |
| Louisiana | $122,100 |
| Massachusetts | $139,760 |
| Maryland | $132,410 |
| Maine | $125,210 |
| Michigan | $126,470 |
| Minnesota | $131,410 |
| Missouri | $122,010 |
| Mississippi | $114,530 |
| Montana | $121,240 |
| North Carolina | $122,040 |
| North Dakota | $126,850 |
| Nebraska | $120,980 |
| New Hampshire | $129,820 |
| New Jersey | $139,190 |
| New Mexico | $118,940 |
| Nevada | $127,100 |
| New York | $136,520 |
| Ohio | $125,040 |
| Oklahoma | $118,740 |
| Oregon | $130,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $127,840 |
| Rhode Island | $133,150 |
| South Carolina | $120,330 |
| South Dakota | $116,710 |
| Tennessee | $120,010 |
| Texas | $125,260 |
| Utah | $122,980 |
| Virginia | $129,320 |
| Vermont | $126,040 |
| Washington | $139,250 |
| Wisconsin | $126,330 |
| West Virginia | $115,640 |
| Wyoming | $123,150 |
What are the Best-Paying Cities for Regulatory Compliance Managers?
Apart from state differences, regulatory compliance manager salaries also vary by city due to the cost of living, demand, and local jobs. For example, employers in cities in California, such as San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland, offer some of the highest average annual pay for regulatory compliance manager workers, making these cities attractive locations for professionals in the field who want to start or advance their career.
| Cities | Average Pay |
|---|---|
| San Jose, California | $161,970 ($78 per hour) |
| San Francisco, California | $160,380 ($77 per hour) |
| Oakland, California | $156,830 ($75 per hour) |
| New York, New York | $148,830 ($72 per hour) |
| Queens Village, New York | $147,860 ($71 per hour) |
| Paramus, New Jersey | $146,830 ($71 per hour) |
How Experience Affects Regulatory Compliance Manager Salary?
The salary for regulatory compliance managers can also increase with experience. In the report, an entry level positions regulatory compliance manager earns about $123,741 annually. With under 2 years of experience, the pay increases to $124,302.
Regulatory compliance managers with 2 to 4 years of experience earn around $125,613, while senior regulatory compliance managers with 5 to 8 years make about $127,110. Those with over 8 years of experience earn a median salary of $129,615.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Regulatory Compliance Manager | $123,741 |
| Intermediate Level Regulatory Compliance Manager | $124,302 |
| Senior Level Regulatory Compliance Manager | $125,613 |
| Specialist Level Regulatory Compliance Manager | $127,110 |
| Expert Level Regulatory Compliance Manager | $129,615 |
How to Increase Salary as a Regulatory Compliance Manager?
The role requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent, along with at least five years of related experience. Candidates often need one to three years of supervisory experience, demonstrating the ability to manage teams and oversee daily operations.
This position also demands extensive knowledge of departmental processes, as managers are responsible for meeting project goals, maintaining budgets, and exercising full authority over personnel decisions.
Regulatory Compliance Manager Advancements
- Experience: Experience can significantly increase the salary of regulatory compliance managers, as higher-level roles command higher compensation. For example, while an entry-level manager earns around $123,741, an expert-level manager can earn up to $129,615, reflecting the value of advanced skills and experience.
- Location: The location of a regulatory compliance manager can greatly influence their salary, with positions in major metropolitan areas or high-cost regions typically paying more. For example, managers in San Jose, California earn around $161,970 on average, compared to $146,830 in Paramus, New Jersey, highlighting regional pay variations.
- Skills: Learning in-demand skills can boost a regulatory compliance manager's salary, as expertise in high-demand areas makes them more valuable to employers. For example, mastering skills like Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance or Legal Research can increase salaries by over 7%, reflecting the premium placed on specialized knowledge.
Regulatory Compliance Manager Skills
Regulatory compliance managers with certain in-demand skills can increase their salaries. According to the Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a regulatory compliance manager with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance skills can earn a 7.85% salary increase, while those with legal research skills may see a 7.78% increase.
Other skills that can boost a regulatory compliance manager's salary include:
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance | 10.40% | +7.85% |
| Legal Research | 10.20% | +7.78% |
| Regulatory Environment | 10.50% | +7.53% |
| Internal Audit | 10.50% | +7.37% |
| Training Management | 10.00% | +7.35% |
| Audit Documentation | 10.80% | +7.32% |
What are the FAQs about Regulatory Compliance Manager Salaries?
Here are some common questions about job title:
What is the average salary of a Regulatory Compliance Manager?
As of this writing, the average annual salary of a regulatory compliance manager is $128,420, or $62 per hour, $2,470 per week, or $10,702 monthly.
What is the highest salary for a Regulatory Compliance Manager?
Based on a Salary.com report, the highest salary for a regulatory compliance manager can reach $150,027 annually, or $72 per hour. However, keep in mind that this depends on factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location.
What does a Regulatory Compliance Manager do?
A regulatory compliance manager oversees an organization's compliance programs, policies, and reporting to ensure all activities meet applicable laws and governance standards. They also manage internal controls, conduct risk-based compliance testing, update processes for regulatory changes, and provide training and communication to keep stakeholders informed.
