Compliance Auditor Recruitment
Compliance Auditors play a critical role in ensuring organisations meet regulatory, customer and certification requirements across regulated and manufacturing environments. QAagency specialises in recruiting Compliance Auditors across the UK, supporting businesses where audit performance, governance and risk management are central to operational stability.
Compliance Auditor roles are most commonly found within manufacturing, food and drink, FMCG, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and engineering environments. Positions are typically site-based due to the need for physical audits, process verification and staff engagement, although some roles offer hybrid working where supplier audits, documentation review or multi-site responsibility are involved.
Compliance Auditors usually report into a Quality Manager, Technical Manager or Head of Quality. The role focuses on verifying adherence to standards, identifying gaps and supporting corrective action, rather than owning day to day quality system maintenance.
Roles we recruit for within Compliance Auditing
We recruit across a range of audit-focused compliance roles, including Compliance Auditors responsible for internal audits, supplier audits and readiness for external certification or regulatory inspection.
Some roles are site-specific, while others operate across multiple locations or supply chains, particularly within food, FMCG and regulated manufacturing environments.
2026 salary insight: Compliance Auditor roles
Based on QAagency 2026 salary benchmarking, average UK salaries for Compliance Auditor roles are:
Compliance Auditor (2–5 years experience): £41,300
Senior Compliance Auditor (5–10 years experience): £52,400
Lead Compliance Auditor (10+ years experience): £60,900
Salary progression within compliance auditing is strongly influenced by audit scope, regulatory exposure and authority-facing responsibility. Roles involving GMP, BRCGS, ISO, IATF or direct regulator interaction typically attract higher salaries.
Data based on QAagency 2026 salary benchmarking.
Market and hiring trends
Demand for Compliance Auditors has increased steadily over the past 12 months as audit pressure and regulatory scrutiny continue to rise across multiple sectors.
Between 2025 and 2026, average Compliance Auditor salaries increased by approximately 4.2%, slightly above the wider QA market average. Over a five-year period, compliance-focused roles are up by around 22%, reflecting the growing importance of independent audit capability and governance oversight.
One notable trend is the separation of audit and operational quality functions. Many businesses are now appointing dedicated Compliance Auditors rather than relying solely on Quality Managers to cover audit activity alongside operational responsibilities.
There is also increasing demand for auditors with strong communication skills. Employers are placing greater value on auditors who can challenge constructively, support corrective action and work effectively with operational teams rather than simply report findings.
Location and salary variation
London and the South East continue to offer the highest Compliance Auditor salaries, typically sitting around 10–14% above the UK average. This is driven by higher audit density, multi-site responsibility and stronger regulatory presence.
Other regions such as the Midlands and North West have seen five-year salary growth of approximately 20–23%, narrowing the regional gap. In these areas, salary variation is increasingly driven by audit scope, travel requirements and sector regulation rather than geography alone.
Overall, Compliance Auditor roles have become more specialised and more valued over time, with salary growth reflecting the increasing reliance on strong governance, independent oversight and audit readiness across UK manufacturing and regulated industries.