Director of Risk.
Philadelphia.
$292,000
median salary, 6% above the national average
$248,000 to $380,000. Last updated July 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Philadelphia is 9% more expensive than the national average. For Director of Risks, that shakes out to a median of $292,000, with the full range spanning $248,000 to $380,000. Director of Risk compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $263,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$190,000
to $234,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$248,000
to $307,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$321,000
to $380,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$365,000
to $453,000
Salary trend.
+7% YoYTotal compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $180,000 to the total package.
Base
$292,000
Equity
$96,000
Bonus
$61,000
Signing
$23,000
Estimated total: $472,000
How Philadelphia compares.
Philadelphia, PA
$292,000
Cost of living: 9% above average
National Average
$276,000
Philadelphia is $16,000 above
Director of Risk salary by city.
Salary by role in Philadelphia.
What you should know.
Here is what the Director of Risk market actually looks like in Philadelphia. Philadelphia combines a robust healthcare and life sciences sector with established finance and higher education institutions. The city's pharmaceutical corridor is among the strongest in the country. Tech growth has accelerated, particularly in health tech and enterprise software, offering salaries that stretch further than in nearby New York. Director of Risk compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent. Equity is a major component at roughly 28% of base — candidates should weight stock grants as heavily as salary when comparing offers. Within finance and business operations, licensure (CFA, CPA, FP&A) and industry (tech, banking, consulting) shift the compensation band by 20–40%.
Director of Risks progress Analyst → Manager → Senior Manager → Director → VP over 10 to 15 years in corporate finance, or Associate → VP → Director → MD in investment banking. Certifications (MBA, CFA) unlock specific transitions. For Director of Risks specifically, the seniority anchor means roughly 12+ years of experience and demonstrated P&L or strategic leadership. In Philadelphia, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation for Director of Risks runs roughly $309K at median when factoring base + equity (28% of base annually) + bonus (18% of base). Equity is the single largest non-base component — candidates should model vesting schedules (typically 4-year with 1-year cliff) and compare grant values across offers carefully. In corporate finance and banking, bonus is a major component and can double the base in top-performing years (investment banking) or add 20–40% (corporate finance). And on the tax side: pennsylvania has a flat 3.07% state income tax, but Philadelphia adds a 3.75% city wage tax for residents. This combined local burden is worth factoring into salary negotiations. When someone quotes you $292,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Account for the Philadelphia wage tax in your ask. Request a 5 to 8% premium over suburban offers to offset the city's local tax on all earned income. The range for Director of Risks in Philadelphia runs from $248,000 to $380,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL), state pay-transparency job postings, and community submissions. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A General Counsel in Philadelphia earns $293,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Philadelphia is Senior VP of Security at $367,000
Common questions.
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