Headlines from the salary-related articles at web site efinancialcareers.com read, “Lucrative Times for Risk Professionals,” (Apr. 9, 2007), “Demand Pumps Pay in Risk Management,” (Jan. 7, 2007), “Hefty Increases to Risk Executives,” (June 20, 2006), “Risk Sector View: Banks Gearing and Paying Up,” (Nov. 9, 2005), and “Risk Manager Pay Jumps 15% Year on Year,” (May 9, 2005). Michael Woodrow, president of the risk-management search firm Risk Talent Associates, predicts continued high demand for risk management specialists with experienced market risk and credit risk people getting packages of $500,000 or “much, much more.”

The results from a recent Risk Talent Associates compensation survey are as follows. “For risk management analysts or associates, average total compensation in the U.S. grew from $111,000 in 2005 to $121,000 in 2006. For senior associates or managers, compensation rose $150,000 to $166,000. Vice presidents saw their compensation rise from $242,000 in 2005 to $264,000 in 2006. Senior vice presidents garnered $420,000 in 2005 versus $462,000 in 2006, while managing directors’ compensation rose from $900,000 in 2005 to $984,000 in 2006. Finally, chief risk officers earned $928,000 in 2005, but broke $1 million in 2006,” according to the survey.