Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analyst.
San Diego.
$140,000
median salary, 22% above the national average
$110,000 to $181,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analyst offer in San Diego, CA, here is the reality: $110,000 to $181,000, with $140,000 as the midpoint. 22% above the national average. Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analyst compensation is driven by domain specialization, SQL and statistical depth, and the financial or operational impact of insights delivered. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $126,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$91,000
to $112,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$119,000
to $147,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$154,000
to $182,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$175,000
to $217,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $29,000 to the total package.
Base
$140,000
Equity
$15,000
Bonus
$11,000
Signing
$3,000
Estimated total: $169,000
How San Diego compares
San Diego, CA
$140,000
Cost of living: 17% above average
National Average
$115,000
San Diego is $25,000 above
Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analyst salary by city
Salary by role in San Diego
What you should know
The Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analyst landscape in San Diego is not what most salary sites will tell you. San Diego's economy thrives on defense, biotech, and a growing tech startup scene. The city's proximity to major military installations drives strong aerospace and cybersecurity demand. Biotech companies along the Torrey Pines corridor compete aggressively for scientific and engineering talent, pushing specialized salaries close to Bay Area levels. Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analyst compensation is driven by domain specialization, SQL and statistical depth, and the financial or operational impact of insights delivered. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 8% in a typical year. At the mid-management level, the scope of the organization under management ($10M budget vs $100M+) drives the largest compensation variance.
Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analysts progress from junior to senior in 4 to 6 years, with lead and manager levels typically requiring 8+ years and a demonstrated track record of influencing business decisions with data. For Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analysts specifically, the seniority anchor typically means 7 to 12 years of experience with demonstrated independent scope. In San Diego, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 17% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation for Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analysts runs roughly $124K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~8% of base). Base salary carries most of the compensation; benefits (healthcare, 401(k) match, PTO) add an estimated 15–25% in imputed value on top. At management levels, variable compensation (bonus + LTIP) grows as a share of total — expect 30–50% variable at director and 50%+ variable at VP and above. And on the tax side: california's top 13.3% state tax applies here. While San Diego has no city income tax, the state burden means you should negotiate gross pay higher than you might expect for the cost of living. When someone quotes you $140,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Leverage defense and biotech sector demand. Candidates with security clearances or specialized science backgrounds can command 15 to 20% premiums in San Diego. The range for Lead Anti-Money Laundering Analysts in San Diego runs from $110,000 to $181,000. 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
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Common questions.
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