How do I get compliance certified?

The requirements for becoming compliance certified depend on the industry that you are working in. Various requirements need to be met before a compliance manager can apply for certification.

How much do compliance managers make?

Compliance managers make an average salary of $110,000 per year. Several factors determine a salary that can range from $50,000 to $155,000 annually. Experience is probably the most important factor in determining the salary of a compliance manager. Entry-level positions in compliance management average approximately $53,000, while a junior compliance manager with limited experience earns an average of $73,000 per year.

What qualifications do I need to be a compliance officer?

The qualifications you need to be a compliance officer are a bachelor's degree and demonstrating an appropriate skill set. There are no current accredited degrees for compliance; however, a degree in criminal justice, business management, or finance are all preferred modes of entry for budding compliance officers.

What skills should a compliance manager have?

Compliance managers should possess the skills of leadership, communication, and a deep understanding of the law. Because compliance managers work in various industries, they must be aware of industry-specific regulations.

How To Become A Compliance Manager: What It Is and Career Path

What is a compliance manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A compliance manager ensures that an organization adheres to internal and external regulations and laws. They develop, implement, and monitor policies, procedures, and controls for compliance. Compliance managers work across industries such as healthcare, finance, and technology. They stay up-to-date with changes in regulations and industry standards to maintain quality operations. Additionally, they collaborate with others to identify potential compliance risks and develop mitigation strategies. Compliance managers protect an organization from legal and reputational harm.

ScoreCompliance ManagerUS Average

Salary

7.4

Avg. Salary $95,130

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.66%

Asian 8.80%

Black or African American 7.64%

Hispanic or Latino 12.81%

Unknown 4.70%

White 65.39%

Gender

female 51.43%

male 48.57%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

8.5

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.9

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.2

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a compliance manager?

Pros

Job security
High earning potential
Opportunity for career growth
Good work-life balance
Ability to work remotely or from home

Cons

High pressure and stress levels
Long working hours
Heavy workload and tight deadlines
Risk of burnout due to the nature of the job
Possibility of facing legal consequences for non-compliance

Key steps to become a compliance manager

Explore compliance manager education requirements

Most common compliance manager degrees

Bachelor's

64.0 %

Master's

14.7 %

Associate

11.9 %

Start to develop specific compliance manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Oversight	8.87%
Ethics	6.13%
Risk Management	5.61%
Compliance Program	4.90%
Regulatory Compliance	4.02%

Complete relevant compliance manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New compliance managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a compliance manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real compliance manager resumes.

Gain additional compliance manager certifications

Compliance manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific compliance manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for compliance managers include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM).

More About Certifications

Research compliance manager duties and responsibilities

Manage due diligence reviews in regard to FCPA.
Manage CFPB audit on both servicing and originations units.
Lead a team to assess and analyze Dodd-Frank CFTC swap regulations.
Promote to manage system development teams charge with performing new product QA.

Prepare your compliance manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your compliance manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a compliance manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable compliance manager resume templates

Build a professional compliance manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your compliance manager resume.