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General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Salary in the United States

How much does a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer in the United States is $469,500 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $226.

However, a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $566,719
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $432,568 to $520,388
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $398,943
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Salaries

A General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer'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): $216,185
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $249,440
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $290,548
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $362,028
  • Expert (over 8 years): $458,898
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Senior Managing Attorney less than 1 year $216,185
Assistant General Counsel 1-2 years $249,440
Associate General Counsel 2-4 years $290,548
General Counsel 5-8 years $362,028
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer over 8 years $458,898

How Do General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer 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 General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $519,830.
  • California: $517,859.
  • Massachusetts: $510,957.

Top Paying Cities for General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

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:

  • San Jose: $592,180
  • San Francisco: $585,697
  • Oakland: $573,353

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet $610,350 $293.0 30%
Biotechnology $563,400 $271.0 20%
Software & Networking $563,400 $271.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $539,925 $260.0 15%
Telecom $539,925 $260.0 15%

How Education impacts a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer professionals enter the field with a Doctoral degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer with a Doctoral is between $374,691 and $411,372.

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 0.2%
Associate's Degree 0.3%
Bachelor's Degree 1.2%
Master's Degree or MBA 2.1%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 95.8%
View as Graph

General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$432,568
Average $469,500/year
$520,388
$36,047
Average $39,125/month
$43,366
$8,319
Average $9,029/week
$10,007
$208
Average $226/hour
$250
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $520,388 $43,366 $10,007 $250
Average $469,500 $39,125 $9,029 $226
25th Percentile $432,568 $36,047 $8,319 $208

Most common benefits for General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

Here are companies hiring for General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

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    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

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    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

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    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

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    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

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    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

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FAQ about General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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