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Risk Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Risk Manager make in the United States?

As of March 01, 2026, the average salary for a Risk Manager in the United States is $130,645 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.

However, a Risk Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $152,848
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,828 to $142,267
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $109,980
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View as table View as graph 25% $119,828 10% $109,980 90% $152,848 75% $142,267 $130,645 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Risk Manager Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $142,267 $11,856 $2,736 $68
Average $130,645 $10,887 $2,512 $63
25th Percentile $119,828 $9,986 $2,304 $58
Check out Risk Manager Job Openings in the United States
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CHRISTUS Health - IRVING, TX

MFM High

Optum - SCOTCHTOWN BRANCH, NY

MFM High

Optum - SCOTCHTOWN BRANCH, NY

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Key Factors That Influence Risk Manager Salaries

A Risk 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Risk Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Risk 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:

  • Risk Analyst V (7-10 years): $155,784
  • Risk Management Supervisor (10+ years): $110,248
  • Risk Manager (10+ years): $130,645
  • Senior Risk Manager (10+ years): $151,991
  • Risk Management Director (10+ years): $183,703
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Risk Analyst V7-10 years$155,784
Risk Management Supervisor10+ years$110,248
Risk Manager10+ years$130,645
Senior Risk Manager10+ years$151,991
Risk Management Director10+ years$183,703
$155,784 Risk Anal...
$110,248 Risk Mana...
$130,645 Risk Mana...
$151,991 Senior Ri...
$183,703 Risk Mana...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Risk Managers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $164,783
  • San Francisco: $163,163
  • Oakland: $159,544

What Skills Can Increase a Risk Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Risk Management (Mentioned in 32.63% Job Postings): Risk management is the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of risks (defined in ISO 31000 as the effect of uncertainty on objectives) followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. Risks can come from various sources including uncertainty in financial markets, threats from project failures (at any phase in design, development, production, or sustainment life-cycles), legal liabilities, credit risk, accidents, natural causes and disasters, deliberate attack from an adversary, or events of uncertain or unpredictable root-cause. There are two types of events i.e. negative events can be classified as risks while positive events are classified as opportunities. Several risk management standards have been developed including the Project Management Institute, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, actuarial societies, and ISO standards. Methods, definitions and goals vary widely according to whether the risk management method is in the context of project management, security, engineering, industrial processes, financial portfolios, actuarial assessments, or public health and safety.
  • Economics (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Economics is a social science that focuses on the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services, and analyzes the choices that individuals, businesses, governments, and nations make to allocate resources.
  • Business Continuity (Mentioned in 0.77% Job Postings): Developing and executing innovative plans to ensure interoperability of business systems in the event of an emergency.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Risk Management 32.63%
Economics 1.2%
Business Continuity 0.77%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Risk Manager's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Communication Skills: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
$138,484
6%
Influencing
$138,484
6%
Communication Skills
$137,177
5%
Accountability
$137,177
5%
Partnering
$137,177
5%
Operational Risk
$137,177
5%
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How Education impacts a Risk Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Risk Managers enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Risk Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $120,938 and $128,296).

Risk Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Risk Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 6.6%
Associates 6.2%
Bachelors 46.7%
Masters 32.6%
Doctorate 7.8%
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Risk Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Risk 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 March 01, 2026

Risk Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Risk Manager, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Risk Manager Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
E-commerce Risk Director $156,712 20%
Insurance Risk Senior Manager $181,247 39%
Senior Risk Manager $151,991 16%

Most common benefits for Risk Manager

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Risk Manager

Here are companies hiring for Risk Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Risk Manager

1. Where can a Risk Manager earn the most?

A Risk 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, a Risk Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Risk Manager is $164,783.

2. What is the highest pay for Risk Manager?

The highest pay for Risk Manager is $152,848.

3. What is the lowest pay for Risk Manager?

The lowest pay for Risk Manager is $109,980.

4. What are the responsibilities of Risk Manager?

Manages and administers an organization's risk-management programs. Implements policies, procedures, and controls to monitor and minimize the risk exposure of assets. Researches internal and external risk factors including economic, market, and regulatory risks that may affect the organization. Routinely evaluates the effectiveness of procedures and collaborates with internal stakeholders to monitor changes in the business environment. Manages statistical analysis and designing of financial models to predict the risk exposure of an organization's assets. Reviews risk analysis reports to ensure risks are identified and managed effectively. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. 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.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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