BarkerGilmore Issues 2025 Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report

Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Salaries Increased Nearly 3% in 2025; 56% of CCOs Consider Job Search in Coming Year; Female CCO Total Compensation on Par with Male Counterparts

PITTSFORD, N.Y., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The nation's only executive search, coaching, and advisory firm dedicated exclusively to the in-house legal and compliance profession — announced its 2025 Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report. 

According to Managing Partner, John Gilmore, "This year's compensation survey of nearly 300 Chief Compliance Officers reflects a modest 2.7% increase in media salaries, as well as some interesting insights into compliance market dynamics. Notably, the 2025 increase in pay was lower than the 5.1% bump in 2024, which may account for 56% of CCO respondents who indicated an interest in seeking new opportunities in the coming year, mainly for better compensation and benefits." 

Mr. Gilmore noted that 39% of CCO respondents were either "very" or "somewhat" concerned about job security. "This is consistent with an industry poll we conducted in April, where 35% of 400 compliance professionals at all levels felt the job market was either consistently or increasingly negative over the past 6 months. This suggests the current economic environment is of concern to compliance professionals, despite the essential role their function plays at most companies."

"Offsetting near-term job concern," according to Mr. Gilmore, "the longer-term outlook for the profession is extremely positive, based on our survey, recent polling, and search assignment volume." He noted that 69% of CCOs said they are viewed as "Trusted Advisors" by their Executive Leadership Team, or reported their guidance is always followed. Additionally, despite market uncertainty and resource constraints, nearly 73% of compliance professionals reported they would pursue compliance again as a career if they started over, according to the firm's industry poll.

Highlights of BarkerGilmore's Report include: 

Chief Compliance Officer median salaries increased by 2.7% in 2025, a decline from 5.1% in 2024. The largest salary increases by industry, both at 3.4%, were at Industrial and Technology companies.

Cash bonuses were paid at 88% of their target, relatively unchanged from the prior year. CCOs were paid an average bonus of $125,551, versus a target average bonus of $134,391.   

The technology industry paid the highest total compensation for CCO positions at $770,000. Life Sciences industry paid the second highest at $665,000 and Energy at $578,000 for total compensation.  

Female CCOs were paid a higher base salary but lower bonus and cash compensation than male counterparts. Total cash compensation for male CCOs was $382,500; slightly higher than $379,000 for female CCOs.

Most CCOs report their performance is often resource constrained.  80% said their performance was either sometimes or always affected by lack of resources or staffing. This is similar to our survey of in-house counsel, where 81% reported resource constraints.

Here is the BarkerGilmore Report: 2025 Chief Compliance Officer Compensation Report. 

Media Contact:
Gordon G. Andrew
Highlander Consulting Inc.
[email protected]
(609) 987-0200

SOURCE BarkerGilmore LLC