Head of Risk.
Washington DC.
$335,000
median salary, 21% above the national average
$285,000 to $435,000. Last updated July 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Head of Risk offer in Washington DC, DC, here is the reality: $285,000 to $435,000, with $335,000 as the midpoint. 21% above the national average. Head of Risk compensation scales with team size under management, scope of organizational responsibility, and track record of hiring and retaining talent. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $301,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$218,000
to $268,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$285,000
to $352,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$369,000
to $436,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$419,000
to $519,000
Salary trend.
+4% YoYTotal compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $95,000 to the total package.
Base
$335,000
Equity
$54,000
Bonus
$34,000
Signing
$7,000
Estimated total: $430,000
How Washington DC compares.
Washington DC, DC
$335,000
Cost of living: 25% above average
National Average
$276,000
Washington DC is $59,000 above
Head of Risk salary by city.
Salary by role in Washington DC.
What you should know.
Here is what the Head of Risk market actually looks like in Washington DC. Washington DC's job market is shaped by the federal government, defense contractors, and a growing commercial tech sector. Cybersecurity, cloud computing, and consulting firms drive demand for cleared professionals. The region's stability, combined with high government pay scales, creates a salary floor that pulls private sector compensation upward. Head 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%.
Head 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 Head of Risks specifically, the seniority anchor means roughly 12+ years of experience and demonstrated P&L or strategic leadership. In Washington DC, those numbers run higher. The cost of living here is 25% above average, and employers adjust to compete.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation for Head of Risks runs roughly $333K 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: dC income tax rates reach 10.75% for high earners. Maryland and Virginia residents working in DC face their own state taxes. Choose your residence jurisdiction carefully to optimize net pay. When someone quotes you $335,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: A security clearance is your strongest negotiation asset. Cleared professionals in DC command 20 to 30% premiums, and transferring your clearance to a new employer saves them significant time and cost. The range for Head of Risks in Washington DC runs from $285,000 to $435,000. 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 Chief Innovation Officer in Washington DC earns $336,000 (0% more)
- The highest-paying role in Washington DC is Chief Security Officer at $429,000
Common questions.
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