North American risk management professionals have seen notable salary increases over the last two years, with some in leadership receiving raises in excess of 15%, according to the RIMS 2025 Compensation Survey.

The median base salary for U.S. risk management professionals increased by around 11%, from $144,300 in 2023 to $160,000 in 2025. Meanwhile, those in Canada saw an even higher increase of 15%, from $122,000 in 2023 to $140,000 in 2025.

"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," RIMS CEO Gary A. LaBranche, FASAE, CAE, said in a release. "Around the world risk professionals are driving organizational growth and innovation. RIMS is proud to provide this resource for them to sustain that momentum and advance their careers."

This bi-annual survey is conducted by email, and the 2025 edition is reportedly based on 1,068 responses from both RIMS members and non-members who were employed as risk management professionals as of June 1, 2025, in the United States or Canada.

Risk management leadership also saw notable salary growth over the last two years, with RIMS reporting that the median annual base salary of U.S. risk professionals who hold the title of chief risk officer or vice president increased by 16% from 2023 to $245,000 in 2025. Canadian CROs and vice presidents saw an average salary increase of 15% from 2023 to $225,000 in 2025.

Around 40% of respondents from the U.S. and Canada said they had received recognition, either monetarily or otherwise, for earning an industry-related designation or certification. RIMS reports that, in line with its 2023 report, around 65% of U.S. risk professionals have at least one industry-related designation or certification, with that number sitting at around 88% for Canadian risk professionals.

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