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Life sciences CCOs report highest compensation in survey
Compensation for chief compliance officers at organizations of all types continues to rise, according to a survey by executive recruiting firm BarkerGilmore, though CCOs in certain industries are likely to be much more well-compensated.
Among CCOs in life sciences, the median annual compensation was $785,000, while those in the consumer sector had a median compensation amount of $750,000, according to the survey of more than 250 CCOs. Nonprofit CCOs posted the lowest median compensation, $250,000. Similar patterns showed up in salary increase over 2025: the median salary rose by 5% in life sciences but just 2% in nonprofits.
Company revenue is also a driving factor, the report found. At the 90th percentile in total compensation, for firms both public and private with revenues over $5 billion, total compensation for CCOs, including base salary, long-term incentives and bonuses, exceeded $1.2 million annually, with those at private firms earning slightly more. Among companies with revenues of less than $500 million, the 90th percentile total compensation for…
