As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for an Incident Response Manager in the United States is $122,706 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.
However, an Incident Response Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Incident Response Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Incident Response Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Incident Response Manager | $119,299 |
| Intermediate Level Incident Response Manager | $119,708 |
| Senior Level Incident Response Manager | $121,071 |
| Specialist Level Incident Response Manager | $122,706 |
| Expert Level Incident Response Manager | $125,442 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Incident Response Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Process Management | 6.46% |
| Triage | 1.82% |
| IT Operations | 1.06% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Process Management
|
$138,658 |
13%
|
|
Change Management
|
$126,387 |
3%
|
|
Consulting
|
$126,387 |
3%
|
|
Information Security
|
$126,387 |
3%
|
|
Splunk
|
$126,387 |
3%
|
|
Computer Science
|
$126,387 |
3%
|
Understanding how an Incident Response Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on April 01, 2026For an Incident Response Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Cyber Incident Response Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $167,522 - a projected growth of 37% over your current level.
Salaries for an Incident Response Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $134,767 in 2023 to around $130,125 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Incident Response Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $134,767 |
| 2024 | $131,988 |
| 2025 | $130,125 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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An Incident Response Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Incident Response Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Incident Response Manager is $154,769.
The highest pay for Incident Response Manager is $143,304.
The lowest pay for Incident Response Manager is $105,264.
Manages all aspects of technical incident response from initiation to conclusion. Assesses the nature of the incident and determines what resources are needed to resolve the situation and restore service. Coordinates all efforts to contain and resolve the incident. Leads communications and conference calls with the team, stakeholders, customers, and others to provide updates. Documents all activities occurring during the incident following policy and using established methodologies. Conducts a root cause analysis for each incident to define follow-up action items and to make recommendations to stakeholders. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
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