Lead Compliance Engineer.
Providence.
$179,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$140,000 to $232,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Lead Compliance Engineer offer in Providence, RI, here is the reality: $140,000 to $232,000, with $179,000 as the midpoint. 2% above the national average. Compensation for Lead Compliance Engineers is driven by depth of technical specialization, open-source or published work, and the specific technology stack. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $161,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$116,000
to $143,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$152,000
to $188,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$197,000
to $233,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$224,000
to $277,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $51,000 to the total package.
Base
$179,000
Equity
$29,000
Bonus
$18,000
Signing
$4,000
Estimated total: $230,000
How Providence compares
Providence, RI
$179,000
Cost of living: 4% above average
National Average
$176,000
Providence is $3,000 above
Lead Compliance Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Providence
What you should know
The Lead Compliance Engineer landscape in Providence is not what most salary sites will tell you. Providence sits between Boston and New York, benefiting from both labor markets. The city's economy is driven by healthcare, higher education, and a growing design and creative sector anchored by RISD. Defense and marine industries also contribute to the local job market. Compensation for Lead Compliance Engineers is driven by depth of technical specialization, open-source or published work, and the specific technology stack. Base salary carries most of the total compensation, with bonuses adding roughly 10% in a typical year. Within finance and business operations, licensure (CFA, CPA, FP&A) and industry (tech, banking, consulting) shift the compensation band by 20–40%.
Lead Compliance Engineers typically advance from entry to senior over 5 to 8 years, with staff and principal levels requiring 10+ years and demonstrated cross-team impact. For Lead Compliance Engineers specifically, the seniority anchor typically means 7 to 12 years of experience with demonstrated independent scope. In Providence, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation for Lead Compliance Engineers runs roughly $194K at median when factoring base + typical bonus (~10% 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. In corporate finance and banking, bonus is a major component and can double the base in top-performing years (investment banking) or add 20–40% (corporate finance). And on the tax side: rhode Island's top income tax rate is 5.99%. Providence has no city income tax. The state rate is moderate for the Northeast, and proximity to Boston creates competitive salary pressure. When someone quotes you $179,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference Boston salary benchmarks. Providence employers know they compete for talent with Boston and will often offer 85 to 95% of Boston rates to attract professionals. The range for Lead Compliance Engineers in Providence runs from $140,000 to $232,000. 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 AI Engineer in Providence earns $178,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Providence is Technical Fellow at $364,000
Common questions.
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