Compliance Specialist Salary in 2023

Salary details

The average Compliance Specialist salary lies between USD 114,400 and USD 171,000 globally. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Compliance Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with Compliance Specialist job listings are Compliance, Audits and Privacy. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 85 jobs Audits | 58 jobs Privacy | 46 jobs Cloud | 35 jobs SOC 2 | 32 jobs ISO 27001 | 28 jobs Monitoring | 28 jobs SOC | 28 jobs CISA | 25 jobs Risk assessment | 24 jobs NIST | 24 jobs Governance | 24 jobs CISSP | 21 jobs Strategy | 20 jobs Application security | 20 jobs Risk management | 19 jobs FedRAMP | 17 jobs HIPAA | 16 jobs AWS | 14 jobs Computer Science | 14 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Compliance Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with Compliance Specialist job listings are Career development, Health care and Flex hours. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2023 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 51 jobs Health care | 36 jobs Flex hours | 32 jobs Startup environment | 28 jobs Team events | 28 jobs Flex vacation | 21 jobs Competitive pay | 20 jobs Equity / stock options | 17 jobs Parental leave | 16 jobs Medical leave | 14 jobs Salary bonus | 13 jobs Insurance | 11 jobs Conferences | 8 jobs 401(k) matching | 6 jobs Wellness | 5 jobs Gear | 3 jobs Snacks / Drinks | 3 jobs Fertility benefits | 3 jobs Lunch / meals | 2 jobs Transparency | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

The salary for a Compliance Specialist in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically comprises a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or benefits. The fixed salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, usually around 70-80%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, ranging from 10-20% of the total salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options, profit-sharing, or comprehensive benefits packages, can make up the remaining 5-10%.

Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City might be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals. Similarly, larger companies or those in highly regulated industries, such as finance or healthcare, may offer more competitive compensation packages to attract top talent.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from the Compliance Specialist position, consider the following steps:

• Pursue Advanced Certifications: Obtaining advanced certifications can demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field, making you more valuable to employers.
• Gain Specialized Experience: Specializing in a niche area of compliance, such as GDPR or HIPAA, can make you indispensable to companies in specific industries.
• Seek Leadership Roles: Transitioning into a managerial or director-level position can significantly boost your earning potential.
• Network and Build Relationships: Engaging with industry professionals can open up opportunities for higher-paying roles or consulting gigs.
• Negotiate Effectively: When offered a new position or during performance reviews, negotiate for higher pay based on your skills, experience, and market rates.

Educational Requirements

Most Compliance Specialist roles in InfoSec/Cyber Security require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity. Some positions may prefer or require a master's degree, particularly in business administration (MBA) with a focus on information systems or a specialized master's in cybersecurity.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications can significantly enhance your qualifications and are often highly regarded by employers. Some of the most beneficial certifications for a Compliance Specialist include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
• Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
• Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)

These certifications demonstrate a strong understanding of security principles, risk management, and compliance frameworks.

Required Experience

Typically, a Compliance Specialist role requires 3-5 years of experience in information security, IT audit, or a related field. Experience in developing and implementing compliance programs, conducting risk assessments, and familiarity with regulatory requirements is often essential. Experience in specific industries, such as finance or healthcare, can also be advantageous due to the unique compliance challenges they present.

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