Compliance Officer Salary in Chicago
2026 compensation data for Compliance Officer positions in Chicago, IL. Ranges from $50,000 (entry-level) to $145,000 (senior). Median: $89,000.
Median (Mid)
$89,000
$42.79/hr
vs National
-3%
US: $92,000
COL Index
115
vs US avg = 100
Senior Max
$145,000
Top of band
Salary Ranges by Experience Level
Detailed Compensation Breakdown
| Level | Annual Min | Annual Median | Annual Max | Hourly (Median) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–2 yrs) | $50,000 | $58,000 | $67,000 | $27.88/hr |
| Mid-Level (3–5 yrs) | $76,000 | $89,000 | $105,000 | $42.79/hr |
| Senior (6+ yrs) | $110,000 | $126,000 | $145,000 | $60.58/hr |
Got an offer? Don't leave money on the table.
Practice negotiating this salaryWhat Your Salary Is Really Worth in Chicago
A mid-level compliance officer earning $89,000 in Chicago has the same buying power as $77,000 in an average US city, after adjusting for the local cost of living (COL index 115).
Cost of living comparisons use a base of 100 (US national average). Higher index = higher housing, transport, and consumer prices.
About Compliance Officer Salaries in Chicago
If you're negotiating your compensation as a compliance officer in Chicago, you're working in the third-largest financial center in the United States and a city whose diverse economy—spanning financial services, healthcare, food and consumer goods, manufacturing, and technology—creates one of the most varied and consistently demanding compliance labor markets in the country. Chicago's compliance market has two distinct centers of gravity: financial services compliance, driven by the city's banking, trading, and asset management community, and healthcare and life sciences compliance, driven by the major hospital systems and pharmaceutical companies with significant Chicago operations. The financial services compliance market is shaped by Chicago's unique identity as a derivatives and trading hub: the CME Group and CBOE exchanges, the futures commission merchants and commodity trading advisors concentrated around the Loop and the financial district, and the Chicago offices of Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Citadel create demand for compliance professionals with derivatives and trading compliance expertise that is specific to Chicago in a way that equity or banking compliance is not. CFTC and NFA regulatory knowledge is a distinctively Chicago premium skill—compliance officers who can manage the regulatory obligations of FCMs, CPOs, and CTAs under the Commodity Exchange Act are in demand from a client base that does not exist at scale in New York or the coasts. Healthcare compliance is the second dominant sector: Northwestern Medicine, Advocate Health, Rush University Medical Center, and Lurie Children's Hospital all maintain large compliance organizations managing HIPAA privacy and security, Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute obligations, billing and coding compliance, and Joint Commission accreditation requirements. The pharmaceutical and medical device sector adds a third compliance dimension: Abbott Laboratories (headquartered in North Chicago suburb Abbott Park), Baxter International, Deerfield-based Akorn, and the Chicago offices of major pharma companies require compliance officers with FDA promotional compliance, clinical research ethics, and GxP quality-system expertise. Illinois imposes a flat 4.95% income tax, moderate and predictable at compliance officer compensation levels. The Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP) and Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional–International (CCEP-I) credentials from the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics are the most widely recognized in the healthcare compliance market; CAMS certification is the priority credential for AML and financial institution compliance. Negotiation angles: compliance officers who can document specific examination outcomes—managing regulatory inquiries, building compliance programs from scratch, or remediating enforcement actions—have the strongest leverage in Chicago's market. Sign-on bonuses of $20K–$50K are common for experienced financial services compliance officers with derivatives or trading expertise, where supply is tightest.
Develop and enforce regulatory compliance programs, conduct risk assessments, and ensure organizational adherence to laws and standards. This page covers compliance officer compensation specifically in Chicago, IL.
The median compliance officer salary in Chicago, IL is $89,000 for mid-level professionals, which is 3% below the national median. With a cost of living index of 115 (national average = 100), Chicago offers a moderate cost of living with competitive salaries.
Entry-level compliance officers in Chicago can expect to earn between $50,000 and $67,000 (about $27.88/hour), while senior professionals with 6+ years of experience earn up to $145,000 ($145K annually, or about $69.71/hour).
These figures represent base salary only and do not include bonuses, equity, or benefits, which can add 20–50% to total compensation — especially at technology companies and in competitive markets like Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions: Compliance Officer Salary in Chicago
What is the average Compliance Officer salary in Chicago?+
The average Compliance Officer salary in Chicago is $89,000 for a mid-level professional (3–5 years of experience). Entry-level pay starts around $58,000 and senior-level pay reaches $126,000.
How much does an entry-level compliance officer make in Chicago?+
Entry-level compliance officers in Chicago earn between $50,000 and $67,000, with a median of $58,000 per year (about $27.88/hour).
What is the hourly rate for a Compliance Officer in Chicago?+
Based on a 2,080-hour work year, a Compliance Officer in Chicago earns roughly $27.88/hour at entry-level, $42.79/hour at mid-level, and $60.58/hour at senior-level.
Is the Compliance Officer salary in Chicago higher than the US average?+
Compliance Officer salaries in Chicago are about 3% below the US national median. The lower cost of living often makes take-home buying power competitive.
Does this include bonuses or equity?+
No — these figures are base salary only. Total compensation (base + bonus + equity + benefits) is typically 20–50% higher, and can be 2–3x at top technology and finance employers.
Negotiating a Compliance Officer offer in Chicago?
Stop guessing. Get personalized scripts, market insights, and expert tactics for your specific situation using our free AI negotiation coach.
Compliance Officer Salaries in Other Cities
Other Roles in Chicago
Know Your Worth as a Compliance Officer in Chicago
You now have the data. Use our free AI negotiation coach to turn it into a strategy — get scripts, market context, and expert tactics for your specific situation.
Free · No signup · Instant answers