Compliance officers
SOC Code: 13-1041Also known as:
Air Pollution Compliance Inspector, Certified Driver Examiner (CDE), Certified Driver License Test Administrator, Compliance Analyst, Compliance Coordinator
Median Annual Salary
$78,420
+3.0% growth (2024-2034)
33K
Openings/Year
418K
Current Jobs
What Compliance officers Do
Examine, evaluate, and investigate eligibility for or conformity with laws and regulations governing contract compliance of licenses and permits, and perform other compliance and enforcement inspection and analysis activities not classified elsewhere.
💰 Salary
$78,420
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.0%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
33K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
418,000
Projected Employment (2034)
430,300
Related Careers
Managers, all other
$136,550 •
+4.5% growth
Labor relations specialists
$93,500 •
-0.1% growth
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
$80,060 •
+4.4% growth
Detectives and criminal investigators
$93,580 •
-0.7% growth
Construction and building inspectors
$72,120 •
-0.8% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Warn violators of infractions or penalties.
- Evaluate applications, records, or documents to gather information about eligibility or liability issues.
- Advise licensees or other individuals or groups concerning licensing, permit, or passport regulations.
- Prepare reports of activities, evaluations, recommendations, or decisions.
- Report law or regulation violations to appropriate boards or agencies.
- Confer with or interview officials, technical or professional specialists, or applicants to obtain information or to clarify facts relevant to licensing decisions.
- Determine the nature of code violations and actions to be taken, and issue written notices of violation, participating in enforcement hearings, as necessary.
- Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection records.
- Investigate complaints and suspected violations regarding illegal dumping, pollution, pesticides, product quality, or labeling laws.
- Determine which sites and violation reports to investigate, and coordinate compliance and enforcement activities with other government agencies.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Compliance officers
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a compliance officers:
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
17,602 degrees awarded •
531 colleges offer this program
Environmental Science
10,679 degrees awarded •
619 colleges offer this program
Environmental Studies
10,185 degrees awarded •
476 colleges offer this program
Labor and Industrial Relations
1,540 degrees awarded •
26 colleges offer this program
Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services
224 degrees awarded •
21 colleges offer this program
Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality
121 degrees awarded •
8 colleges offer this program
Regulatory Science/Affairs
106 degrees awarded •
6 colleges offer this program
Environmental Geosciences
96 degrees awarded •
10 colleges offer this program
Energy and Environmental Policy
83 degrees awarded •
10 colleges offer this program
Medical Staff Services Technology/Technician
38 degrees awarded •
5 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Compliance officers
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become compliance officers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do compliance officers make?
The median annual salary for compliance officers is $78,420.
What education do compliance officers need?
Most compliance officers positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies.
Is becoming compliance officers a good career choice?
Compliance officers is projected to see +3.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 33,300 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for compliance officers?
Top colleges for aspiring compliance officers include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of California-Los Angeles, Cornell University, University of California-Santa Barbara, University of California-Berkeley.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to compliance officers?
Compliance officers may also be known as: Air Pollution Compliance Inspector, Certified Driver Examiner (CDE), Certified Driver License Test Administrator, Compliance Analyst, Compliance Coordinator, Compliance Examiner, Compliance Investigator, Compliance Officer, Compliance Professional, Compliance Specialist, Cosmetology Inspector, Department of Motor Vehicles Clerk (DMV Clerk), Deportation Examiner, Driver Examiner, Driver License Agent, Driver License Examiner, Driver License Reviewing Officer, Driver License Technician, Driver's License Examiner, EEO Officer (Equal Employment Opportunity Officer).
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.