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Ethics and Compliance Specialist Salary in California

How much does an Ethics and Compliance Specialist make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Ethics and Compliance Specialist in California is $88,902 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, an Ethics and Compliance Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $100,906
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,380 to $95,186
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,711
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Ethics and Compliance Specialist Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Ethics and Compliance Specialist Salaries

An Ethics and Compliance Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Ethics and Compliance Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Ethics and Compliance Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $73,190
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $87,593
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $102,703
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $129,674
  • Expert (over 8 years): $113,007
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
System Documentation Specialist I less than 1 year $73,190
Ethics and Compliance Specialist 1-2 years $87,593
System Documentation Specialist III 2-4 years $102,703
System Documentation Specialist IV 5-8 years $129,674
System Documentation Supervisor over 8 years $113,007

How Do Ethics and Compliance Specialist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Ethics and Compliance Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $89,241.
  • California: $88,902.
  • Massachusetts: $87,718.

Top Paying Cities for Ethics and Compliance Specialist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $89,056
  • West Hollywood: $88,991
  • Dodgertown: $89,055

Ethics and Compliance Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Ethics and Compliance Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 26% above the average. In contrast, Ethics and Compliance Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Ethics and Compliance Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Ethics and Compliance Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology $112,017 $54.0 26%
Aerospace & Defense $96,904 $47.0 9%
Internet $95,126 $46.0 7%
Healthcare $94,237 $45.0 6%
Software & Networking $94,237 $45.0 6%

Ethics and Compliance Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Ethics and Compliance Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$79,380
Average $88,902/year
$95,186
$6,615
Average $7,409/month
$7,932
$1,527
Average $1,710/week
$1,830
$38
Average $43/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,186 $7,932 $1,830 $46
Average $88,902 $7,409 $1,710 $43
25th Percentile $79,380 $6,615 $1,527 $38

Find Your Next Ethics and Compliance Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Ethics and Compliance Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Charities Housing | San Jose, CA

    Compliance Specialist

    Charities Housing | San Jose, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. POSITION. Compliance Specialist. COMPENSATION. $75,000 - $85,000/Year DOE + Benefits including health, dental, vision, FS... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Premium Transport Staffing | Pomona, CA

    Compliance Specialist

    Premium Transport Staffing | Pomona, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. DOT Compliance Specialist | $22/Hour. Premium Transport Staffing, Inc. . Pomona, California. $22.00 per hour |. Full-Time... more

    1 Day Ago

  • Global Channel Management | Los Angeles, CA

    Compliance Specialist

    Global Channel Management | Los Angeles, CA

    Compliance Specialist. Los Angeles, California, United States. Compliance Specialist needs 3+ years of strong experience workforce contract. Compliance Spe... more

    2 Days Ago

  • McKinley Children's Center | San Dimas, CA

    Compliance Specialist

    McKinley Children's Center | San Dimas, CA

    Compliance Specialist - Facility Operations. McKinley: Youth, Family, and Community are what we are all about. We offer a great working environment and ben... more

    2 Days Ago

  • LeadStack | Culver City, CA

    Compliance Specialist

    LeadStack | Culver City, CA

    Compliance Manager. Reporting to the Vice President, Ethics & Legal Compliance, this role is an integral part of the SPE Ethics & Legal Compliance departme... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Chinatown Community Development Center | San Francisco, CA

    Compliance Specialist

    Chinatown Community Development Center | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary.  The Compliance Specialist ensures that the regulatory and compliance requirements are met for each property... more

    3 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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