Salary guide, May 2025
Trade Compliance Manager pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Managers, All Other in the United States was $141,900 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $102,880 and $186,300.
Also searched as: Import/Export Compliance Manager. These titles share this page because BLS reports them under one occupation.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-9199 Managers, All Other
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $74,300 | $102,880 | $141,900 | $186,300 | $238,270 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $35.72 | $49.46 | $68.22 | $89.57 | $114.55 |
BLS estimated 622,190 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-9199 Managers, All Other, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $106,880 | $77,590 to $162,530 | 11,360 | 1.01 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $117,810 | $74,060 to $163,050 | 5,980 | 1.03 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $122,930 | $78,800 to $168,970 | 5,610 | 0.99 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $147,370 | $109,470 to $199,760 | 4,320 | 1.45 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $169,800 | $128,770 to $218,090 | 34,400 | 0.91 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $169,800 | $128,770 to $218,090 | 34,400 | 0.91 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $139,810 | $104,100 to $179,000 | 19,890 | 1.23 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $145,370 | $109,590 to $189,350 | 26,170 | 1.45 |
Rank every metro for Trade Compliance Manager
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing$202,090
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$197,920
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing$192,620
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$188,440
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing$182,630
- Transportation Equipment Manufacturing$176,980
- Communications Equipment Manufacturing$173,590
- Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing$171,770
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$171,620
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$171,620
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$171,170
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing$171,160
- Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing$170,890
- Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing$169,090
- Miscellaneous Manufacturing$167,270
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 45,220 | $121,950 | $163,860 | $210,040 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 8,700 | $155,090 | $192,620 | $227,550 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 8,660 | $129,320 | $165,270 | $212,000 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 6,440 | $137,090 | $176,980 | $219,630 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 4,770 | $138,450 | $171,170 | $221,790 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 4,570 | $163,880 | $202,090 | $224,530 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 4,530 | $167,770 | $188,440 | $222,570 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 3,830 | $116,080 | $164,040 | $201,640 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 3,370 | $128,490 | $167,270 | $210,310 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 2,960 | $124,090 | $155,310 | $179,600 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 2,960 | $115,620 | $164,260 | $198,400 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 2,870 | $97,860 | $125,200 | $164,890 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 2,720 | $135,150 | $171,160 | $214,460 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 2,200 | $143,740 | $197,920 | $236,080 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 2,120 | $90,490 | $117,320 | $146,280 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 1,630 | $141,100 | $171,620 | $215,310 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 1,630 | $141,100 | $171,620 | $215,310 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 1,540 | $107,890 | $137,370 | $187,400 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 1,360 | $99,650 | $126,710 | $162,030 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 1,090 | $100,360 | $126,360 | $162,480 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 1,020 | $99,590 | $124,000 | $155,430 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 990 | $150,730 | $182,630 | $238,270 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 930 | $99,590 | $131,710 | $167,890 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 850 | $83,200 | $123,710 | $150,850 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 850 | $83,200 | $123,710 | $150,850 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 840 | $105,200 | $130,430 | $158,560 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 800 | $106,840 | $128,990 | $160,970 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 740 | $101,990 | $131,170 | $181,250 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 720 | $139,720 | $173,590 | $213,700 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 670 | $91,680 | $111,680 | $144,110 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 650 | $95,050 | $125,960 | $166,590 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 590 | $97,330 | $131,920 | $169,770 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 580 | $115,450 | $151,670 | $206,020 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 570 | $96,640 | $129,270 | $169,240 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 570 | $106,820 | $135,620 | $191,390 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 550 | $131,710 | $160,440 | $213,570 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 540 | $84,500 | $119,800 | $152,930 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 520 | $123,550 | $170,890 | $221,010 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 510 | $69,690 | $106,960 | $159,540 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 510 | $69,690 | $106,960 | $159,540 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 510 | $107,120 | $132,650 | $163,200 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 480 | $91,160 | $120,870 | $139,510 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 480 | $101,850 | $124,640 | $147,020 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 450 | $95,980 | $113,160 | $139,660 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 440 | $99,860 | $125,530 | $165,140 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 410 | $98,810 | $125,530 | $158,230 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 360 | $112,240 | $137,050 | $164,210 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 340 | $99,970 | $133,680 | $172,330 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 300 | $73,350 | $105,470 | $137,080 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 300 | $79,760 | $102,390 | $130,930 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 280 | $99,750 | $128,890 | $165,510 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 270 | $97,030 | $127,380 | $160,620 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 240 | $85,790 | $109,190 | $163,750 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 220 | $76,520 | $96,760 | $124,990 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 220 | $133,750 | $169,090 | $201,640 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 220 | $100,290 | $129,450 | $169,210 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 190 | $111,990 | $134,840 | $172,830 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 160 | $138,130 | $171,770 | $214,540 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 160 | $108,760 | $127,680 | $167,790 |
| 311700 | Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | 150 | $72,860 | $99,760 | $134,120 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 150 | $96,420 | $131,000 | $171,000 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 140 | $114,410 | $131,090 | $170,010 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 140 | $101,070 | $139,980 | $177,340 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 140 | $87,090 | $124,710 | $168,190 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 140 | $133,110 | $158,290 | $200,480 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 130 | $97,180 | $121,090 | $152,710 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 130 | $108,700 | $143,670 | $179,290 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 130 | $97,010 | $125,020 | $157,330 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 120 | $123,170 | $143,680 | $211,960 |
| 332800 | Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 120 | $66,940 | $83,210 | $134,650 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 110 | $82,890 | $109,970 | $155,820 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 110 | $125,790 | $143,510 | $173,070 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 100 | $106,360 | $136,520 | $211,550 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 100 | $118,870 | $148,150 | $160,000 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 100 | $91,720 | $110,770 | $147,510 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 100 | $99,080 | $122,390 | $143,620 |
| 313200 | Fabric Mills | 80 | $107,080 | $131,100 | $166,190 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 80 | $109,100 | $126,490 | $156,830 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 80 | $90,760 | $130,500 | $145,620 |
| 314100 | Textile Furnishings Mills | 70 | $92,680 | $133,870 | $172,300 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 50 | $86,720 | $104,190 | $128,790 |
| 313300 | Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills | 40 | $101,240 | $151,640 | $202,500 |
| 314900 | Other Textile Product Mills | 40 | $76,350 | $99,670 | $109,990 |
| 313100 | Fiber, Yarn, and Thread Mills | 30 | $83,170 | $96,920 | $126,650 |
| 334600 | Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | Not published by BLS | $89,900 | $92,330 | $144,160 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Trade Compliance Manager, clarify the base pay before discussing call-outs, travel or extra shifts. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $100,010 | $136,550 | $179,190 |
| May 2025 | $102,880 | $141,900 | $186,300 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about audit and program building?
We ask for the program they inherited and the one they left. Written procedures, recordkeeping, screening of parties, training, internal audits and broker oversight all form part of it. We listen for specifics, such as how often they audit and what they found.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Trade Compliance Manager?
The median annual wage for Managers, All Other in the United States was $141,900 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $102,880 and $186,300. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $74,300. 90% earned less than $238,270.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Trade Compliance Manager at a plant?
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 622,190 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
Logistics Manager pay Warehouse Manager / Distribution Center Manager pay Director of Logistics pay Transportation Manager pay Warehouse Supervisor pay Trade Compliance Manager pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Trade Compliance Manager recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
Trade Compliance Managers are analyzed under SOC 11-9199, Managers, All Other. This broad classification lacks the granularity to isolate trade compliance specialists, whose roles involve critical tasks like HTS classification, USMCA, and ITAR/EAR compliance for defense or aerospace manufacturing. Manufacturing Headhunters notes that specialized sectors report significantly higher medians, such as $202,090 in Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing.
This contrasts with the $141,900 national median for the broader category. The middle-band width for this occupation is $83,420, with a P25 of $102,880 and a P75 of $186,300.
Metropolitan hub medians are also higher than the national median, with $170,980 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and $169,800 in New York-Newark-Jersey City. The national median increased by $5,350 from $136,550 in May 2024. BLS reporting captures base pay, but in the highly technical field of trade compliance, additional compensation such as bonuses tied to regulatory audit performance is common, which the BLS methodology excludes. Clients must look to the industry-specific medians for a more accurate gauge of compensation for these highly technical roles.
Given the broad nature of SOC 11-9199, which encompasses various management functions, the national median can be misleading for specialized trade compliance roles. The higher industry-specific medians are more representative of the value placed on compliance professionals in manufacturing environments. Location quotients, such as 3.35 in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, confirm an employment concentration but do not reflect local labor market conditions. Hiring managers should prioritize candidates with specific experience in global trade regulatory frameworks over those from the broader management SOC when determining appropriate offer ranges.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
Why is the industry median for Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing higher?
The sector median of $202,090 is the observed median for the mapped occupation in that industry; it does not isolate trade compliance work sectors. The national median of $141,900 is an average across many disparate management occupations.
How much has the national median increased?
The national median rose by $5,350 from the May 2024 level of $136,550. This indicates rising compensation for the broader management category.
What does the middle-band width indicate?
The $83,420 middle-band width reflects the high variance in pay for the broader manager category. Compliance roles often gravitate toward the upper quartiles due to technical regulatory knowledge requirements.
Related recruiting or pay page · Related wage comparison 1 · Data methodology · Related wage comparison 3 · Related wage comparison 4