Risk Manager Salary in 2026
Identify, assess, and mitigate organizational risks across financial and operational domains.
Median Salary
$105,000
$8,750/mo
Entry Level
$72,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$148,000
experienced
Job Growth
+10%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031, the closest published occupation to Risk Manager) at a national median of $166,570 per year (mean $186,910), or $80.08 per hour, with 841,710 people employed nationwide. Salario's $105,000 median above is a title-level estimate and is not rescaled to this broader occupation. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Risk Manager Overview
Identify, assess, and mitigate organizational risks across financial and operational domains.
Education
Bachelor's/Master's
Experience
5-8 years
Industry
Finance
Total Jobs (US)
50K
5-Year Growth
+14%
Category
Finance
Hourly Rate
$50.48/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,750
Risk Manager Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Risk Manager salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Risk Manager Salary
$122,000
$10,167/month · $4,692/biweekly · $58.65/hr
Risk Manager Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Risk Manager field.
Entry-level Risk Managers earn around $72,000, while the top 10% earn $164,000 or more.
Top Paying States for Risk Managers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $124,000 | +$19,000 |
| New York | $121,000 | +$16,000 |
| Connecticut | $116,000 | +$11,000 |
| Illinois | $109,000 | +$4,000 |
| Texas | $103,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Risk Managers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $131,000 | +$26,000 |
| New York | $124,000 | +$19,000 |
| Hartford | $111,000 | +$6,000 |
| Chicago | $110,000 | +$5,000 |
| Dallas | $105,000 | $0 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Risk Manager Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Risk Manager from entry level to expert.
$72,000
0-2 years
$110,000
3-7 years
$148,000
8-14 years
$180,000
15+ years
Related Finance Jobs
Risk Manager Salary FAQ
How much does a Risk Manager make in 2026?
Salario's modeled median salary for a Risk Manager in the United States is $105,000 per year in 2026. Entry-level positions start around $72,000, while senior professionals earn up to $148,000. Top earners in the field can make $180,000 or more annually. For reference, BLS OEWS May 2025 reports a $166,570 national median for the broader occupation Financial Managers (SOC 11-3031).
What education is needed to become a Risk Manager?
A Risk Manager typically requires a Bachelor's/Master's with 5-8 years of experience. Key skills include Risk Assessment, Compliance, Insurance. Relevant certifications such as FRM or CRM can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Risk Managers?
The job market for Risk Managers is projected to grow by 10% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 50K Risk Manager positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 14%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Risk Managers the most?
The highest-paying states for Risk Managers include New York, California, Connecticut. In New York, the median salary is approximately $121,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Risk Manager salary?
To increase your Risk Manager salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Risk Assessment and Compliance. Pursue certifications such as FRM. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like New York. With 5-8 years of experience, you can progress from $72,000 to $148,000 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Risk Manager Salary
How we calculate Risk Manager salary data: Risk Manager has no exact BLS occupation. The national median, tiers, state and city figures are Salario estimates for the title; the closest published BLS occupation (Financial Managers, SOC 11-3031) is shown above for reference but is not used to rescale the model because its wage level does not describe this title.
- National median salary: $105,000, Salario estimate (not a BLS value).
- Entry-level ($72,000) and senior-level ($148,000) are Salario tiers; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +10% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 50K total positions nationwide (Salario estimate).
- 5-year salary growth: 14% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Finance sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's/Master's, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $105,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Risk Manager compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Risk Manager job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Finance
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Risk Manager salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Risk Assessment, Compliance, Insurance), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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