Chief compliance officers in the US are seeking better pay and benefits in the upcoming year as salary increases dipped in 2025, according to the "2025 Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report" published by executive search and advisory firm BarkerGilmore.
Managing partner John Gilmore noted that this year, median salaries went up by just 2.7 percent - a decline from the 5.1 percent boost recorded in 2024.
This may have spurred 56 percent of CCOs to consider new opportunities. He added that 39 percent of respondents were "very" or "somewhat" concerned about job security.
"This is consistent with an industry poll we conducted in April, where 35 percent of 400 compliance professionals at all levels felt the job market was either consistently or increasingly negative over the past 6 months," Gilmore said in a statement. "This suggests the current economic environment is of concern to compliance professionals, despite the essential role their function plays at most companies."
Moreover, female CCOs recorded lower bonuses and cash compensation than male CCOs, even though women received a higher base salary. Female CCOs' total cash compensation came in at US$379,000, while that for men was at US$382,500.
Cash bonuses were released at 88 percent of the target, with CCOs receiving an average of US$125,551 againsst the target average of US$134,391. CCOs at technology companies got the highest total compensation at US$770,000, following by those in life sciences (US$665,000) and energy (US$578,000).
Industrial and technology companies offered the highest salary increases at 3.4 percent.
Eighty percent of respondents also indicated that their performance was limited by a lack of resources or staffing. Nonetheless, 69 percent of CCOs reported being recognized as "trusted advisors" by the executive leadership; they also said that their advice was always followed.
"Offsetting near-term job concern, the longer-term outlook for the profession is extremely positive, based on our survey, recent polling, and search assignment volume", Gilmore said.
Almost 73 percent of compliance professionals confirmed they would opt to stay in compliance as a career if they had the chance to make a fresh start.
The "2025 Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report" obtained feedback from almost 300 CCOs. The full report can be accessed here.