NEW YORK :The RIMS 2025 Compensation Survey confirmed risk management’s accession, highlighting that risk professionals in both the United States (11%) and Canada (15%) benefited from significant salary increases since RIMS last compensation survey in 2023. Most notable was the salary increase experienced by Chief Risk Officers/Vice Presidents of Risk Management who saw salary increases of 16% in the U.S. and 15% in Canada.
Additionally, approximately 40% of North American risk professionals who earned an industry-related designation or certification indicated that they were recognized by their employer – financially or otherwise – for their commitment to professional advancement.
The bi-annual survey provides detailed compensation analysis by virtually all risk management positions, as well as the impact that education, experience, and other demographic data have on salaries. Additionally, the report provides data about risk management reporting structures, team size, benefits and additional cash compensation programs.
Key findings from the RIMS 2025 Compensation Survey include:
The median annual base salary for U.S. risk management professionals in 2025 was $160,000 compared to $144,300 in 2023.
In Canada, the median annual base salary for risk management professionals was $140,000 compared to $122,000 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). In Canada, that salary median is $225,000 (up 15% from 2023).
41% of the U.S respondents and 40% of Canadian 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. The proportion is higher in Canada at 88%.
“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, FASAE, CAE. “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.”
The survey was conducted by email and disseminated to qualified RIMS professional members and non-members. To best represent the audience of interest, the results in this report are based on 1,068 respondents who indicated they were employed as a risk management professional as of June 1, 2025, in the U.S. or Canada. Of those, 867 were from the U.S., 201 from Canada.
The RIMS 2025 Compensation Survey is available to both members and non-members. To order a copy, visit www.rims.org/resources/compensation-survey. Survey contributors are entitled to a complimentary copy of the survey’s Executive Summary. The full survey is free for all RIMS members, $250 for contributor non-members, and $500 for non-contributor non-members.
