Compliance Officer salary in Columbia, SC
Compliance Officers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $72,990 a year ($35.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,810 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $80,730. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $75,460. There are 2.9 compliance officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $84,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for compliance officers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| 25th percentile | $53,820 | $25.88 |
| Median | $72,990 | $35.09 |
| 75th percentile | $104,130 | $50.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,810 | $77.31 |
| Average (mean) | $84,490 | $40.62 |
Half of compliance officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,082.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,041.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,807.31 |
| Weekly | $1,403.65 |
| Hourly | $35.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Compliance Officer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $86,720 | 3,240 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $86,260 | 1,110 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $75,690 | 680 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $73,590 | 130 |
| Sumter, SC | $73,320 | 60 |
| Florence, SC | $68,520 | 120 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $68,500 | 230 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $64,260 | 480 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $64,150 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for compliance officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,030 |
| Massachusetts | $102,060 |
| New Jersey | $100,000 |
| California | $96,980 |
| Connecticut | $91,810 |
| Delaware | $91,050 |
| Vermont | $90,420 |
| New York | $90,080 |
| Washington | $88,790 |
| Rhode Island | $87,620 |
See Compliance Officer pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Management Analyst | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Project Management Specialist | $85,260 | $40.99 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $67,990 | $32.69 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $68,600 | $32.98 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $67,290 | $32.35 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $77,400 | $37.21 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $61,460 | $29.55 |
| Buyers and Purchasing Agents | $71,820 | $34.53 |
| Cost Estimator | $65,850 | $31.66 |
| Logistician | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| Fundraiser | $62,720 | $30.16 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $71,620 | $34.43 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1041. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a compliance officer make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for compliance officers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $72,990 a year, or $35.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $160,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid compliance officers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of compliance officers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $160,810 a year. The top 25% earn $104,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for compliance officers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,850 a year, and a quarter of compliance officers earn $53,820 or less.
How many compliance officers work in Columbia, SC?
About 1,120 compliance officers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.