North American Risk Professionals See Average 11% Salary Increase

Risk professionals’ salaries have increased an average of 11% since 2023, with chief risk officers/vice presidents of risk management seeing increases of 16%.

The increases and other trends in risk management compensation are detailed in the RIMS 2025 Compensation Survey, which provides an analysis of risk management positions, as well as the impact that education, experience, and other demographic data have on salaries.

“There are many factors that reaffirm the immense value business leaders place on risk management, but few are more compelling than the salary increases highlighted in this year’s RIMS Compensation Survey,” said RIMS CEO Gary A. LaBranche.

The survey analyzed results from 1,068 RIMS professional members and non-members, 867 from the U.S. and 201 from Canada. RIMS 2025 Compensation Survey found:

• The median annual base salary for U.S. risk management professionals in 2025 was $160,000 compared to $144,300 in 2023.
• The median annual base salary for U.S risk professionals who hold the title of Chief Risk Officer/Vice President is $245,000 (up 16% from 2023).
• Compared with the previous year, U.S. risk management professionals saw a 4.4% average increase in base salary as of June 1, 2025.
• 41% of the U.S respondents received recognition – either monetary and/or non-monetary – for earning an industry-related designation/certification.
• Mirroring the 2023 report, two in three U.S. risk management professionals (65%) have at least one industry-related designation/certification.
• Education, experience, and supervisory responsibility each tend to correlate positively with salary. Those who supervise (directly or indirectly) 20 or more individuals typically earn $73,000 more than those who do not supervise others.
• Males tend to earn more than females, but they tend to have higher levels of education, slightly more experience, and are more likely to have supervisory responsibility.

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