Compliance Officer.
Lexington.
$91,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$70,000 to $123,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Lexington is 14% cheaper than the national average. For Compliance Officers, that shakes out to a median of $91,000, with the full range spanning $70,000 to $123,000. Regulatory environment complexity and industry are the top salary drivers. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $82,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$59,000
to $73,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$77,000
to $96,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$100,000
to $118,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$114,000
to $141,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $23,000 to the total package.
Base
$91,000
Equity
$13,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $114,000
How Lexington compares
Lexington, KY
$91,000
Cost of living: 14% below average
National Average
$102,000
Lexington is $11,000 below
Compliance Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Lexington
What you should know
The Compliance Officer landscape in Lexington is not what most salary sites will tell you. Lexington is Kentucky's second largest city with an economy driven by the University of Kentucky, healthcare, and the equine industry. A growing tech startup scene and affordable cost of living are attracting remote workers. The bourbon and manufacturing sectors also contribute to the local economy. Regulatory environment complexity and industry are the top salary drivers. Compliance officers in banking, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals earn 15 to 25% more than those in less regulated industries. AML/BSA specialization, sanctions screening expertise, and experience managing regulatory examinations command significant salary premiums.
Compliance analysts start at $60,000 to $78,000. Compliance officers earn $85,000 to $120,000. Senior compliance officers and managers reach $115,000 to $155,000. Directors of compliance earn $150,000 to $210,000. Chief compliance officers at large institutions command $220,000 to $400,000. In Lexington, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 14% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Annual bonuses of 10 to 20% are tied to audit outcomes and regulatory examination results. Financial services compliance officers receive the highest variable pay. Some firms offer retention bonuses to keep compliance talent during regulatory transitions or enforcement actions. And on the tax side: kentucky has a flat 4% state income tax. Lexington has an occupational tax of about 2.25%. The combined rate is moderate and the very affordable housing stretches salaries further. When someone quotes you $91,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage UK Health and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries in Lexington. The range for Compliance Officers in Lexington runs from $70,000 to $123,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Construction Manager in Lexington earns $90,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Lexington is Distinguished Engineer at $275,000
Common questions.
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