Average Whistleblower Settlement

Learn About Average Settlement Amounts in Whistleblower Cases Under the False Claims Act and Other Federal Whistleblower Programs

For many people, the prospect of receiving a sizable whistleblower award is a key factor in their decision to come forward. This is understandable—and this is precisely why the federal government pays whistleblower rewards when warranted. While comprehensive settlement data isn’t available, whistleblower awards start at $150,000 in many cases, and the largest-ever whistleblower award currently stands at nearly $279 million.

This has two key implications: First, a precise average whistleblower settlement amount is not available. Second, even if a precise average whistleblower settlement amount was available, it wouldn’t be indicative of what any individual whistleblower could expect to receive in any particular case. If you are eligible to file a whistleblower complaint with the federal government, the size of your potential whistleblower reward depends on several factors that are unique to you.

Settlement Amounts in Federal Whistleblower Cases

While we can’t provide a specific average whistleblower award amount, we can provide insight into some of the whistleblower awards that have been issued previously. Multiple government agencies accept whistleblower reports from private citizens, and they all issue awards based (in part) on the amount the government recovers.

Whistleblower Settlements Under the False Claims Act

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) paid $330 million to False Claims Act whistleblowers in 2025 alone. The federal False Claims Act allows whistleblowers to file complaints in healthcare fraud cases, government contract fraud cases, and cases involving fraud under other government grants and programs. If the DOJ uses a whistleblower’s information to pursue a successful enforcement action, the whistleblower is typically entitled to an award of between 15% and 30% of the amount recovered.

Whistleblower Settlements Under the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Whistleblower Program

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accepts whistleblower claims involving market manipulation and other forms of securities fraud and securities law violations. The SEC has paid several of the largest-ever whistleblower awards, and this means that the SEC’s average award amount is almost certainly among the highest in the federal government. SEC whistleblower awards are routinely in the millions of dollars, and the SEC’s largest-ever whistleblower awards include:

• $279 million
• $114 million
• $110 million
• $82 million
• $50 million

Like all federal agencies that administer whistleblower programs, the SEC has established specific procedural requirements for coming forward with information about fraudulent activities. With this in mind, prospective whistleblowers who are interested in seeking potential rewards from the SEC (or any other federal agency) will want to work with an experienced federal whistleblower attorney.

Whistleblower Settlements Under the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Whistleblower Program

The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is responsible for some of the larger settlements in federal whistleblower cases as well. The CFTC reports that it has issued 53 awards since launching its whistleblower reward program in 2014, with a total award amount of approximately $390 million. This puts the CFTC’s average whistleblower reward amount at approximately $7.3 million. However, this includes a single award of nearly $200 million—reflecting the limited relevance of average award amounts that we emphasized above.

Whistleblower Settlements Under U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Whistleblower Programs

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) administers multiple whistleblower programs, including its Corporate Whistleblower Award Program and its Antitrust Whistleblower Award Program. The Antitrust Whistleblower Program issued its first award—an award of $1 million—in early 2026, while data on average whistleblower settlement amounts under the Corporate Whistleblower Award Program are not available at the time of writing.

Whistleblower Settlements Under Other Federal Whistleblower Programs

From the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) multiple other federal government agencies also reward financial compensation to eligible whistleblowers. Whistleblowers who come forward must report wrongdoing in accordance with each specific program’s rules (and the relevant federal whistleblower laws) in order to establish their award eligibility.

5 Important Factors that Can Impact Whistleblower Settlement Amounts

The large disparity in whistleblower awards reflects the fact that several factors can influence settlement amounts in these cases. These factors include (but are not limited to):

1. Volume and Value of Information Disclosed

The volume and value of information that a whistleblower discloses is a key factor in determining the whistleblower’s potential award eligibility. The factual and legal complexities of the case can play a role as well. By engaging an experienced whistleblower lawyer to represent them, prospective whistleblowers can help ensure that they provide as much information as possible.

2. Level of Cooperation During the Government’s Investigation

Whether (and to what extent) whistleblowers continue to assist the government with gathering evidence after filing their initial whistleblower complaint is a key factor as well. Generally speaking, the more assistance a whistleblower provides, the greater the whistleblower’s reward will be in the event of a successful outcome.  

3. Culpability in the Underlying Civil or Criminal Violation

If a whistleblower played a role in the fraud or other wrongdoing that he or she reports to the federal government, this can reduce the amount of the award he or she is entitled to receive. However, “culpable whistleblowers” will still be able to obtain substantial whistleblower awards in many cases. While coming forward promptly is important in all cases, in these cases, reporting fraud or other wrongdoing promptly is especially important.

4. Government Intervention (in Qui Tam Cases Filed Under the False Claims Act)

In False Claims Act cases, the government’s decision regarding intervention is a key factor in determining award eligibility. If the government intervenes, a whistleblower is generally entitled to between 15% and 25% of the amount recovered. If the government declines to intervene, a whistleblower is generally entitled to between 25% and 30% of the total recovery secured on the government’s behalf.  

5. Whether the Government Pursues a Successful Enforcement Action

In all cases, whistleblowers are only entitled to a monetary award if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action (this limitation does not apply to whistleblower protections). Generally, however, whistleblowers are entitled to an award regardless of whether the government enters into a settlement agreement with the defendant or secures a judgement or conviction in court.

FAQs: Seeking a Whistleblower Settlement from the Federal Government

Schedule a Free and Confidential Consultation with an Experienced Whistleblower Attorney Today

If you would like more information about filing a whistleblower complaint with the federal government and seeking a monetary reward for your efforts, we invite you to get in touch. We work with whistleblowers across the United States and worldwide. Our lawyers can help you make an informed decision about whether to come forward; and, if you decide to come forward, we can work directly with the appropriate federal authorities on your behalf. Call 888-680-1745 or contact us confidentially online to learn more.