How long does it take to become a compliance officer?

Typically about four years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do compliance officers make?

The US median is $80,730 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a compliance officer?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a compliance officer?

1,197 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a compliance officer

Business & finance · SOC 13-1041

$80,730US median pay, 2025

+3.8%Projected growth, 2025–35

32,700Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Work as a compliance officer

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Environmental Science	CIP 03.0104	591
Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General	CIP 52.1001	505
Environmental Studies	CIP 03.0103	463
Labor and Industrial Relations	CIP 52.1002	27
Environmental/Natural Resources Law Enforcement and Protective Services	CIP 03.0208	16
Environmental Geosciences	CIP 30.4101	13
Energy and Environmental Policy	CIP 03.0209	12
Medical Staff Services Technology/Technician	CIP 51.0717	4
Regulatory Science/Affairs	CIP 51.0720	4
Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality	CIP 51.2213	4
Suspension and Debarment Investigation	CIP 43.0121	0

See the 1,197 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a compliance officer?: Typically about four years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do compliance officers make?: The US median is $80,730 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a compliance officer?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a compliance officer?: 1,197 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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