Compliance Analyst Salary in the US: Delving into the Pay Structure in Legal Regulations

Understanding compliance analyst salaries can be confusing given the many factors that influence pay.

This article will clearly break down how much compliance analysts in legal regulations make in the US, delving into key determinants of salary levels across industries.

You're going to discover the salary range for positions like legal compliance analysts, heads of compliance, and beyond. We'll analyze variations by location, experience, company size, and more. You'll also see a comparison of salaries at top financial and technology firms, and learn how career growth to senior and director roles impacts pay over time.**

Introduction to Compliance Analyst Salaries in Legal Regulations

Compliance analysts play a vital role in ensuring organizations adhere to laws, regulations, and internal policies. As regulations grow more complex across industries, demand for these professionals continues rising. This section explores compliance analyst salaries, particularly within legal regulations.

Exploring the Compliance Analyst Job Description

Compliance analysts in legal regulations ensure adherence to relevant laws and policies. Common responsibilities include:

Monitoring for regulatory changes and updating internal procedures
Performing audits to check for violations
Investigating reported issues and recommending corrective actions
Creating and conducting employee training programs
Preparing compliance reports for leadership and regulators

Entry-level positions focus more on established procedures for monitoring and reporting. Senior analysts take on more advisory roles, overseeing programs and processes while reporting to upper management.

Understanding the Compliance Analyst Salary Landscape

The average compliance analyst in legal regulations earns $67,610 per year according to PayScale. Salaries range from $48,173 for entry level to $103,297 for senior analysts.

Major factors impacting salaries include:

Years of relevant experience
Compliance specialty such as legal, financial, healthcare, etc.
Certifications like Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager
Company size and industry
Location - California and New York pay the highest average salaries

Demand continues growing for compliance analysts as regulations expand. Strong attention to detail, communication, and analytical skills are key to success in this field.

How much do compliance analysts make in the US?

The average compliance analyst salary in the USA is $75,521 per year or $36.31 per hour according to the latest market research. This position typically requires a bachelor's degree and 1-2 years of relevant experience.

The salary range for a compliance analyst in the US spans from $47,000 for entry-level roles to over $120,000 per year for senior positions. Geography, company size, industry, and years of experience impact salaries significantly.

For example, compliance analysts make approximately $67,000 in Atlanta, $82,000 in New York City, and $93,000 in San Francisco. Financial services and technology companies tend to pay the highest salaries.

Top-paying industries include:

Investment banking and asset management: $88,000
Software and IT services: $83,500
Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology: $80,000

As a compliance analyst gains more experience, larger pay increases are common when transitioning into roles like senior compliance analyst, compliance manager, and eventually director of compliance.

Overall, compliance analysts enjoy strong job security and earning potential especially in regulated industries. The career path offers opportunities to specialize in areas like financial regulations, data privacy, healthcare regulations, and more.

What is a legal compliance analyst?

A compliance analyst's primary role is to ensure a company adheres to laws, regulations, and internal policies relevant to their industry. They analyze business practices to identify areas of non-compliance and provide recommendations for modifications to achieve compliance.

Some key responsibilities of a legal compliance analyst may include:

Monitoring legal and regulatory changes that impact the business
Reviewing company policies, procedures, and controls for compliance gaps
Performing audits and risk assessments to identify non-compliance
Reporting compliance violations to management
Developing training programs to educate staff on compliance protocols
Creating compliance monitoring tools and metrics for tracking adherence
Preparing reports for executive leadership and board on compliance status

Compliance analysts require skills such as research, analysis, communication, attention to detail and knowledge of regulations. They often specialize in a specific industry with extensive compliance requirements like finance, healthcare or energy.

Many compliance analysts have legal, audit or finance backgrounds. Relevant qualifications include a bachelor's degree or higher in law, business or a specialized field like healthcare administration. Professional certifications like Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) also provide credibility.

The role of a compliance analyst is critical for organizations to avoid fines, litigation and reputational damages by ensuring they operate legally and ethically. Their oversight across all business activities reduces compliance risk and promotes best practices.

How much does a compliance analyst make in NYC?

Compliance analysts in New York City earn an average annual salary of $72,226, according to recent data. This breaks down to approximately $6,018 per month or $2,775 biweekly. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on experience, company, and industry.

Here is a breakdown of compliance analyst salaries in NYC at different percentiles:

75th Percentile: $111,591 per year ($9,299 per month)
Average Salary: $72,226 per year ($6,018 per month)
25th Percentile: $62,900 per year ($5,241 per month)

The top factors that influence compliance analyst salaries in New York City include:

Years of experience in compliance, auditing, or related fields
Specific industry (e.g. finance, healthcare, technology)
Company size and type (e.g. large multinational banks vs small firms)
Academic credentials and certifications

Entry-level compliance analysts in NYC with 0-2 years of experience typically earn between $55,000 and $75,000 annually. With 5+ years under their belt, experienced mid-career professionals can make $80,000 to $120,000 per year.

Some of the highest paying compliance analyst jobs in NYC are at major banks, asset management firms, and regulatory bodies. Top companies hiring for these roles include JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, American Express, UBS, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

In summary, compliance analysts in New York City can earn a lucrative salary well above the national average for their profession. However, pay scales span a wide range based on credentials, specialization, and employer. Those seeking the highest compliance analyst salaries in NYC may want to aim for risk, finance, or tech compliance roles at major corporations.

How much does a head of compliance make in the US?

The average Head of Compliance salary in the US is $127,287 per year. However, salaries can range from $113,756 to $141,454 annually.

Here is a breakdown of some key factors that impact Head of Compliance salaries:

Experience

Entry-level Head of Compliance salaries tend to start around $95,000 per year.
With 5-10 years of experience, salaries increase to an average of $120,000 annually.
Very experienced Heads of Compliance with 10+ years earn an average of $140,000 per year.

Location

In major metro areas like New York and San Francisco, average salaries exceed $150,000 per year.
In smaller markets, Head of Compliance salaries tend to be closer to $100,000 - $120,000 on average.

Industry

Heads of Compliance at large banks and financial services firms earn some of the highest salaries, averaging $185,000 per year.
At technology companies and healthcare organizations, salaries average around $110,000 annually.

Company Size

At companies with over 5,000 employees, Head of Compliance salaries average $163,000 per year.
Small and mid-sized companies pay around $100,000 - $130,000 on average for this role.

In summary, a Head of Compliance in the US earns approximately $127,000 per year on average, with salaries ranging from $95,000 for entry-level roles up to $185,000 per year at large financial services firms. Experience, location, industry, and company size all impact average pay.

Analyzing Pay Structure and Legal Regulations Impact

Geographic location is one of the main drivers of salary differences for Compliance Analysts in the US. Those working in major metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco typically command higher salaries compared to analysts based in smaller cities.

For example, the average Compliance Analyst salary in San Francisco is $85,000 per year, while it's closer to $65,000 in Cleveland. State-level regulations also play a role, with stricter legal environments like New York and California paying more than states with fewer compliance requirements.

Geographic Variations in Compliance Analyst Salaries

Compliance Analyst salaries can vary significantly depending on geographic location within the US. Major factors influencing this variation include:

Cost of living: Salaries tend to be higher in areas with high costs of living like New York City and San Francisco. Compliance Analysts in these cities may earn $15,000-20,000 more than those in lower cost Midwest cities.
Industry concentration: Regions with major financial hubs like New York, Chicago, and Charlotte have high demand and pay more for compliance skills. Average salaries in New York are often $10,000+ higher even after adjusting for cost of living.
State regulations: Stricter state laws around privacy, financial reporting, healthcare, etc. drive demand for compliance staff. Analysts in highly regulated states like New York and California tend to earn higher wages.

For example, the average Compliance Analyst salary in San Francisco is $85,000 per year, while it's closer to $65,000 in Cleveland. So geography significantly impacts pay.

Experience and Compliance Analyst Salary Correlation

Experience level strongly correlates with Compliance Analyst salaries in the US. Those just starting out in entry level compliance roles have lower pay, while senior analysts draw much higher wages.

Typical Compliance Analyst salary progression by years of experience:

Entry level (0-2 years): $45,000 - $65,000
Mid-level (3-5 years): $65,000 - $85,000
Senior (5+ years): $85,000 - $120,000

Higher experience allows analysts to specialize in areas like SEC regulations, equity compliance, etc. These niche skills make them more valuable and lead to higher salaries.

Many senior compliance analysts move into manager or director roles with average pay of $140,000+ per year. Their deep legal/regulatory knowledge commands top dollar.

Company Size and Industry Salary Trends

Compliance Analyst salaries also differ significantly based on company size and industry.

Large banks & financial firms: Offer highest salaries for compliance analysts due to regulatory complexity. JPMorgan Chase compliance analysts earn $85,000+ on average.
Technology/telecom sector: Rapid growth in privacy/data regulations drives demand for skilled analysts. AT&T pays $70,000+ for data compliance analysts.
Small companies: Have lower compliance costs so pay analysts less. Analyst salaries often max out under $60,000 at companies with under 100 employees.

Industry trends also impact wages as new regulations arise requiring skilled analysts. For example, salaries for analysts specializing in environmental compliance rose 5% in 2022 amid new EPA emissions rules.

Education and Certifications’ Effect on Salaries

Educational background and certifications can significantly boost Compliance Analyst salaries:

Associate's degree: $55,000 average salary
Bachelor’s degree: $65,000 average salary
Master's degree: $73,000 average salary
CCO certifications (CCEP): Adds $8,000+ to salaries
Law degree (JD): Adds $15,000+ to salaries

Ongoing certifications are also critical for salary growth over an analyst’s career as new regulations arise requiring expertise. Compliance analysts with current knowledge of evolving legal frameworks become more valuable.

Comparative Analysis of Compliance Analyst Salaries by Company

EY Regulatory Compliance Analyst Salaries

According to Glassdoor, the average base pay for a Regulatory Compliance Analyst at EY (Ernst & Young) is $69,063 per year. The salary range is between $62,000 to $78,000. Additional compensation in the form of bonuses can be between $3,000 to $12,000.

Regulatory Compliance Analysts at EY ensure that the firm complies with regulations around financial reporting, auditing, independence, and professional ethics. They assist client engagements and internal teams on regulatory matters.

Yaana and UBS Legal Compliance Analyst Salaries

Legal Compliance Analysts at Yaana Technologies earn an average base pay of $67,000 per year with additional bonuses between $2,000 to $5,000.

At UBS, Legal Compliance Analyst salaries start at $72,000 base pay on average. Additional incentives can boost total compensation to $82,000 per year.

Legal Compliance Analysts ensure adherence to regulations related to privacy, data security, conflicts of interest, insider trading, and anti-money laundering.

Morgan Stanley and AT&T Compliance Analyst Compensation

The average base salary for a Compliance Analyst at Morgan Stanley is $77,000 per year. Additional incentives can increase total pay to over $90,000.

AT&T offers Compliance Analysts an average starting base pay of $68,000 which progresses to over $75,000 with experience. Performance bonuses average $5,000 per year.

Compliance Analysts at these financial services and telecom firms ensure compliance with industry regulations around fair competition, consumer protection, responsible advertising, and financial reporting accuracy.

FIS and IGT Regulatory Compliance Analyst Pay Scale

Regulatory Compliance Analysts at FIS receive approximately $70,000 in average base pay. Additional incentives can boost total annual compensation to $82,000 on average.

IGT Regulatory Compliance Analysts start at $65,000 base salary, progressing to over $80,000 per year with experience. Bonuses average $5,000 annually.

These analysts support compliance with gaming industry regulations around licensing, testing standards, responsible gambling initiatives, and digital platform security.

Exploring Career Paths: From Analyst to Compliance Director

Progression to Senior and Lead Compliance Analyst Roles

Compliance Analysts typically start their careers in entry-level roles, with salaries averaging around $55,000. With 2-4 years of experience, Analysts can progress to Senior Compliance Analyst positions, with average salaries increasing to approximately $68,000.

After 5-7 years of experience, high-performing Senior Analysts may then move into Lead Compliance Analyst roles, taking on additional responsibilities such as managing teams and projects. Average salaries for Lead Analysts range from $80,000 to $95,000.

Transitioning to Compliance Manager and Director Positions

The next rung on the career ladder after serving as a Lead Analyst is often a Compliance Manager role. Compliance Managers oversee programs, direct teams, and ensure adherence to policies and regulations. Average salaries are approximately $103,000.

With 8+ years of experience, Compliance Managers can then transition into Director positions, responsible for the overall strategy and execution of compliance initiatives across departments or business units. Compliance Directors earn average salaries of $140,000.

Specialized Compliance Roles and Their Salaries

In addition to the typical compliance career trajectory, professionals can also specialize in areas like:

Environmental Compliance Manager: Oversees environmental regulations and permit compliance. Average salary: $96,000
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer: Monitors transactions for money laundering and terrorist financing. Average salary: $103,000

Pursuing niche compliance specializations allows professionals to gain expertise and often command higher salaries. Continuing education and certifications also provide advancement opportunities.

The Role of Continuing Education in Career Advancement

Obtaining advanced degrees and compliance-related certifications can significantly boost salaries and career progression prospects. Some examples include:

Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM): Adds $13,000 on average
Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional (CCEP): Adds $14,500 on average
Master's Degree: Adds $15,000-$20,000 on average

Continuing education demonstrates expertise and commitment, helping compliance professionals qualify for more senior and specialized roles.

The Influence of Legal Regulations on Compliance Analyst Pay

Evolving Legal Compliance Landscape and Analyst Salaries

As regulations and compliance requirements evolve, there is an increased demand for compliance analysts to interpret, implement, and monitor these changes. For example, updates to anti-money laundering (AML) regulations often require financial institutions to enhance their AML compliance programs. This drives demand and salaries upwards for analysts with expertise in areas like customer due diligence, transaction monitoring, and reporting. According to salary data, compliance analysts focused on AML make an average salary of $70,000 per year.

Risk Management and Compliance Analyst Compensation

With rising regulatory expectations around risk management, financial services firms are investing heavily in their risk control teams. Compliance analysts who can quantify, analyze, and report on organizational risks are in high demand. Strong risk management skills can increase salaries by $5,000 to $10,000+ for roles like Risk Analyst and Lead Compliance Analyst. Regulatory pressure has also led to a greater need for compliance auditing expertise. Auditors who can review policies, processes and controls against regulations have seen salaries rise to an average of $85,000 per year.

Data Analysis and Technical Skills Premium in Salaries

Data analysis and technical prowess are increasingly crucial for interpreting and deriving insights from regulatory compliance data. Compliance analysts who utilize tools like Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and SQL to analyze trends and detect red flags can earn $5,000 to $15,000 more in annual compensation compared to peers lacking those applied analytics skills. Financial compliance analysts with advanced data science skills make an average salary of $95,000 per year.

The Role of Auditing Experience in Compliance Analyst Pay

Compliance analysts who have prior experience as external or internal auditors tend to command higher salaries in the job market. Their knowledge of audit methodologies, risk assessment frameworks, and testing procedures makes them invaluable for building and reviewing regulatory compliance programs. Job listings show principal compliance auditors with 5+ years of experience earning between $110,000 to $150,000 in total pay. This salary premium illustrates the impact specialized auditing experience can have on compliance analyst compensation.

Conclusion: Synthesizing Compliance Analyst Salary Insights

Key Takeaways on Compliance Analyst Compensation

The key factors that influence Compliance Analyst salaries include:

Experience level - More years of experience generally lead to higher pay. Those with 5-10 years of experience earn average salaries, while senior-level analysts with 10+ years see higher ranges.
Location - Major metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco have the highest salaries. Suburban and rural areas offer lower compensation.
Industry - Heavily regulated sectors like banking and finance pay Compliance Analysts more than other industries.
Company size - Larger corporations have bigger compliance needs and budgets, resulting in higher salaries for their analysts.

Future Outlook for Compliance Analyst Salary Trends

As regulations expand and data privacy laws increase globally, demand for compliance expertise should continue rising. This could lead to higher salaries industry-wide. Additionally, compliance specialization in high-growth areas like cybersecurity and AI ethics may command even greater pay. However, economic downturns could temporarily suppress compensation growth. Overall, the compliance field looks positioned for solid long-term salary growth based on labor market dynamics.