Compliance officer salaries in the UK vary significantly based on seniority, location, industry, and whether you work permanently or on a fractional/contract basis. This 2025 guide provides comprehensive salary data to help you benchmark your compensation or budget for compliance hires.
UK Compliance Salary Overview
The UK compliance profession has seen steady salary growth, driven by increasing regulatory complexity and demand for experienced professionals. Key trends in 2025:
- 5-8% annual growth in compliance salaries over the past three years
- Specialist premiums for crypto, Consumer Duty, and operational resilience expertise
- Fractional/contract market growth as firms seek flexible compliance coverage
- Remote work impact enabling regional professionals to access London-level roles
- SMF holder premium — FCA-approved professionals command 15-20% more
Compliance Salary by Seniority Level
Salaries vary significantly across the compliance career ladder, from entry-level analysts to Chief Compliance Officers.
| Role | Permanent Salary | Day Rate (Contract) | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance Analyst | £35,000-£50,000 | £300-£500 | 1-3 years |
| Compliance Officer | £50,000-£70,000 | £500-£700 | 3-6 years |
| Senior Compliance Officer | £70,000-£90,000 | £700-£950 | 6-10 years |
| Compliance Manager | £85,000-£110,000 | £850-£1,100 | 10-15 years |
| Head of Compliance | £100,000-£140,000 | £1,000-£1,300 | 15+ years |
| Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) | £130,000-£200,000+ | £1,200-£1,500+ | 15-20+ years |
Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) Salary
CCO salaries range from £130,000 at smaller firms to £200,000+ at major financial institutions. In investment banking and asset management, CCO total compensation (including bonus) can exceed £300,000-£500,000. CCOs holding FCA SMF16 approval command premium rates due to personal regulatory accountability.
Compliance Officer Salary by Location
Location significantly impacts compliance salaries, with London commanding substantial premiums.
| Location | vs UK Average | Permanent Range | Day Rate Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (City) | +25-35% | £55,000-£200,000 | £600-£1,500 |
| London (Canary Wharf) | +25-30% | £55,000-£180,000 | £600-£1,400 |
| Manchester | Base | £40,000-£120,000 | £450-£1,100 |
| Edinburgh | +5% | £42,000-£130,000 | £500-£1,200 |
| Birmingham | -5% | £38,000-£110,000 | £400-£1,000 |
| Bristol | Base | £40,000-£120,000 | £450-£1,100 |
| Leeds | -5% | £38,000-£110,000 | £400-£1,000 |
| Remote UK | -10% | £38,000-£100,000 | £400-£950 |
Remote Work Impact: Many London-based firms now offer remote or hybrid roles, enabling professionals outside London to access higher salaries. However, fully remote roles typically pay 5-10% less than equivalent hybrid positions.
Compliance Salary by Industry
Industry sector is one of the biggest salary determinants in compliance. High-regulation, high-margin industries pay substantially more.
| Industry | Premium | Salary Range | Hiring Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Banking | +30-40% | £60,000-£200,000+ | High |
| Private Equity / VC | +25-35% | £70,000-£180,000 | Very High |
| Asset Management | +20-30% | £55,000-£160,000 | High |
| FinTech / Payments | +15-25% | £50,000-£150,000 | Very High |
| Crypto / Digital Assets | +20-30% | £55,000-£160,000 | Very High |
| Insurance | Base | £45,000-£130,000 | Medium |
| Retail Banking | Base | £45,000-£130,000 | Medium |
| Wealth Management | +10-20% | £50,000-£140,000 | High |
| Consumer Credit | -5-10% | £40,000-£110,000 | Medium |
Highest-Paying Compliance Sectors
Investment banking and private equity consistently pay the highest compliance salaries. A Head of Compliance at a bulge bracket bank earns £180,000-£250,000 base salary plus significant bonus. PE portfolio companies increasingly hire outsourced compliance officers at premium day rates.
Crypto and FinTech have emerged as high-paying sectors, particularly for professionals with FCA crypto registration experience. The talent shortage in crypto compliance drives salaries 20-30% above comparable FinTech roles.
MLRO Salary UK 2025
Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) salaries reflect the personal regulatory accountability of the SMF17 role.
| MLRO Level | Permanent Salary | Fractional Day Rate | Typical Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLRO (Small Firm) | £60,000-£85,000 | £700-£950 | <50 employees |
| MLRO (Mid-sized Firm) | £85,000-£120,000 | £950-£1,200 | 50-200 employees |
| MLRO (Large Firm) | £120,000-£180,000 | £1,200-£1,500 | 200+ employees |
| Group MLRO | £150,000-£220,000+ | £1,400-£1,800+ | Multi-entity |
Fractional MLROs are increasingly common, particularly in FinTech, payments, and crypto sectors. A fractional MLRO working 2 days per week at £1,100/day earns approximately £115,000 annually from a single client—with potential for additional clients.
Fractional & Contract Compliance Rates
Fractional compliance officers and contractors earn day rates significantly higher than permanent equivalents, reflecting the lack of job security and employment benefits.
Typical Day Rates
- Compliance Consultant (Non-SMF): £600-£1,000/day
- Compliance Officer (SMF-capable): £800-£1,200/day
- Fractional CCO (SMF16): £1,000-£1,500/day
- Fractional MLRO (SMF17): £900-£1,300/day
Annual Earnings Comparison
A senior fractional compliance officer earning £1,100/day working 150 billable days annually earns £165,000—comparable to a Head of Compliance permanent salary but with greater flexibility. Those working more days or with multiple clients can exceed £200,000.
IR35 Consideration: Many compliance contracts fall inside IR35, meaning take-home pay is significantly reduced. An £1,100/day rate inside IR35 yields approximately £580-£620/day after taxes and employer costs.
Factors Affecting Compliance Salary
Qualifications
- ICA qualifications (Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma) — 5-10% premium
- CISI Diploma in Investment Compliance — valued in asset management
- Legal qualifications (solicitor, barrister) — 10-15% premium for regulatory roles
- AML certifications (CAMS, ICA AML) — premium for MLRO roles
FCA Approval History
Professionals with existing FCA SMF approval command 15-20% salary premiums. SMF16 and SMF17 approved individuals can often negotiate faster starts (no 8-12 week approval wait) and higher rates reflecting their proven regulatory standing.
Specialist Expertise
High-demand specialisms commanding premium rates in 2025:
- Consumer Duty — Implementation and ongoing monitoring expertise
- Crypto/Digital Assets — FCA registration, Travel Rule, custody
- Operational Resilience — FCA requirements, third-party risk
- CASS (Client Assets) — Client money and assets rules
- Payments/E-money — EMI/PI regulatory framework
How to Increase Your Compliance Salary
Strategies to maximise your compliance compensation:
1. Gain FCA SMF Approval
Holding SMF16 or SMF17 approval demonstrates regulatory credibility and opens doors to senior roles. SMF-approved professionals earn 15-20% more than non-approved peers.
2. Develop Specialist Expertise
Focus on high-demand areas like crypto compliance, Consumer Duty, or CASS. Specialists command premium rates as firms struggle to find experienced professionals.
3. Target High-Paying Industries
Moving from insurance to investment banking or private equity can increase salary by 30-40%. FinTech and crypto also pay above-market rates.
4. Consider Fractional Work
Transitioning to fractional compliance work can significantly increase effective hourly earnings. A £1,100/day rate working 3 days per week yields £170,000 annually.
5. Relocate or Target London Roles
London roles pay 25-35% premium. With remote work options, you may access London salaries without relocating—though fully remote roles typically pay 5-10% less than hybrid.