Salary for Senior-level / Expert Compliance Specialist in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average senior-level / expert Compliance Specialist salary lies between USD 95,000 and USD 170,000 in the United States. 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.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 17, 2024

Salary trend

Top 20 Job Tags for Senior-level / Expert Compliance Specialist roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with senior-level / expert Compliance Specialist job listings are Compliance, Audits and Risk assessment. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 91 jobs Audits | 51 jobs Risk assessment | 38 jobs ISO 27001 | 36 jobs Risk management | 36 jobs Privacy | 35 jobs Cloud | 33 jobs NIST | 31 jobs Monitoring | 31 jobs CISSP | 30 jobs CISA | 29 jobs Governance | 27 jobs CISM | 26 jobs Computer Science | 26 jobs SOC 2 | 22 jobs CRISC | 18 jobs GDPR | 17 jobs SOC | 17 jobs Automation | 15 jobs Analytics | 14 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Senior-level / Expert Compliance Specialist roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with senior-level / expert 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 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 57 jobs Health care | 43 jobs Flex hours | 37 jobs Equity / stock options | 28 jobs Parental leave | 28 jobs Team events | 27 jobs Competitive pay | 24 jobs Medical leave | 22 jobs Flex vacation | 21 jobs Insurance | 20 jobs Salary bonus | 19 jobs 401(k) matching | 14 jobs Startup environment | 14 jobs Wellness | 13 jobs Fitness / gym | 5 jobs Transparency | 5 jobs Conferences | 5 jobs Relocation support | 4 jobs Flexible spending account | 3 jobs Gear | 2 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a Senior-level/Expert Compliance Specialist in InfoSec/Cyber Security typically includes a combination of a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The fixed base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, usually accounting for 10% to 20% of the total compensation. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, may make up the remaining 5% to 10%.

Regional differences can also impact salary composition. For instance, positions in tech hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City might offer higher base salaries and more substantial stock options due to the competitive job market. Industry variations are also notable; financial services and healthcare sectors often provide higher bonuses due to the critical nature of compliance in these fields. Larger companies may offer more comprehensive benefits and stock options compared to smaller firms.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary further from a Senior-level/Expert Compliance Specialist position, consider the following strategies:

• Specialization: Develop expertise in niche areas of compliance, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, which are in high demand.
• Leadership Roles: Transition into managerial or director-level positions, which typically offer higher compensation.
• Continuous Education: Pursue advanced degrees or certifications that can enhance your qualifications and justify a higher salary.
• Networking: Engage with professional networks and industry groups to stay informed about high-paying opportunities and trends.
• Negotiation Skills: Improve your negotiation skills to better advocate for salary increases during performance reviews or when switching jobs.

Educational Requirements

Most Senior-level/Expert Compliance Specialist roles require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security, or Business Administration. Some positions may prefer or require a master's degree, particularly in Cyber Security, Information Assurance, or a related discipline. Advanced degrees can provide a competitive edge and may be necessary for roles in highly regulated industries or larger organizations.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the InfoSec/Cyber Security field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some common and 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)
• Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

These certifications demonstrate a commitment to the field and provide specialized knowledge that can be crucial for compliance roles.

Required Experience

Typically, a Senior-level/Expert Compliance Specialist position requires a minimum of 5 to 10 years of experience in information security, compliance, or a related field. Experience in developing and implementing compliance programs, conducting audits, and managing risk assessments is often essential. Familiarity with regulatory requirements and industry standards, such as ISO 27001, NIST, and SOX, is also crucial.

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