Security & Investigations · Associate · 1 to 5 years typical
AML Investigator Salary
Annual base compensation, national and by market, from 257 named sources. Every figure below says where it came from.
| Market | Multiplier | P25 | P50 | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York City, NY | 1.40× | $75,000 | $100,000 | $130,000 | $165,000 |
| San Francisco, CA | 1.30× | $70,000 | $95,000 | $120,000 | $155,000 |
| Boston, MA | 1.25× | $70,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 |
| Palm Beach, FL | 1.25× | $70,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 | $150,000 |
| Miami, FL | 1.23× | $65,000 | $90,000 | $115,000 | $145,000 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 1.20× | $65,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
| Washington, DC | 1.20× | $65,000 | $85,000 | $110,000 | $140,000 |
| Seattle, WA | 1.15× | $65,000 | $85,000 | $105,000 | $135,000 |
| Chicago, IL | 1.05× | $60,000 | $75,000 | $95,000 | $125,000 |
| Dallas, TX | 1.00× | $55,000 | $70,000 | $90,000 | $120,000 |
Time to fill 8 weeks for comparable searches, estimated from rouka's benchmark set.
Market demand stable with compensation trending upward 3-5% annually. Specialized talent remains scarce in this niche, supporting strong candidate leverage in negotiations.
What does an AML Investigator do?
The AML Investigator operates providing executive protection, threat assessment, and security operations for high-net-worth families, corporate principals, or private organizations. Professionals in this role typically bring 1 to 5 years of relevant experience. Classified at the Associate level, this position draws from a competitive candidate pool, though specialized qualifications and sector-specific experience remain key differentiators in hiring.
What drives AML Investigator compensation?
The median (P50) compensation for an AML Investigator is $70,000, with the 25th to 75th percentile range spanning $55,000 to $90,000. The 51% spread between P25 and P75 reflects significant pay variation driven by principal risk profile, domestic vs. international travel requirements, team size managed, security clearance level, and specialized training in surveillance detection or threat mitigation. Demand is holding stable, with compensation levels expected to track broader market adjustments.
AML Investigator career path
Professionals who move into AML Investigator roles most commonly come from military special operations, federal law enforcement, intelligence agencies, or corporate security departments. From this position, the typical trajectory leads toward director of security for large family offices, corporate security leadership, or independent security consulting. The average tenure in this role is approximately 2.9 years, with an annual turnover rate of 26%.
Hiring an AML Investigator?
A search playbook for this seat: compensation positioning against the band above, the sourcing map, and the interview framework.