Compliance Officers vs. Accountants and Auditors: Who Earns More?
Accountants and Auditors out-earn Compliance Officers by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Compliance Officers land at $80,730 and Accountants and Auditors at $83,680. The education gap is real: compliance officer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while accountants and auditor programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Compliance Officers is District of Columbia ($111,030); for Accountants and Auditors it's District of Columbia ($111,530).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Compliance Officers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Compliance Officers or Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors earn more nationally. The median is $80,730 for Compliance Officers versus $83,680 for Accountants and Auditors, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Compliance Officers or Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors has the better 10-year outlook at 4.6% projected growth, compared to 3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Compliance Officers or Accountants and Auditors?
Compliance Officers typically requires bachelor's degree. Accountants and Auditors requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Compliance Officers get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Compliance Officers at $111,030/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Compliance Officers vs. Accountants and Auditors pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Compliance Officers earn $111,030 vs. $111,530 for Accountants and Auditors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.