CISO Salaries Continue to Rise Despite Economic Uncertainty

"The report found that cybersecurity leadership remains a top business priority with CISO compensation packages continuing to remain robust. In 2025, overall CISO compensation increased by an average of 6.7%, while security budgets grew at a 4% rate, the slowest in five years. Due to market impacts, equity-based compensation grew faster than cash, signaling continued confidence in the role's long-term strategic value."

"The report is based on compensation data from over 550 CISOs in the U.S. and Canada. The report also found that 15% of CISOs changed employers this year, up from 11% in 2024. However, switching roles was not always rewarded; those CISOs who stayed at their companies and took on expanded responsibilities saw an average compensation increase of 8.1%, compared to 5% among those who switched jobs."

"The top 1% of CISOs earn more than $3.2 million in total compensation, which is roughly 10 times the median and 20 times the bottom 10%. This variability is primarily reflective of equity package size, but also often reflects the impact of organization size, with Fortune 100 CISOs often far exceeding reported averages. According to the report, 70% of CISOs receive equity, which can represent up to half of total pay among top earners."

Compensation data covers over 550 CISOs in the U.S. and Canada. Overall CISO compensation rose 6.7% in 2025 while security budgets grew 4%, the slowest in five years. Equity-based compensation increased faster than cash, signaling confidence in long-term strategic value. Fifteen percent of CISOs changed employers in 2025, up from 11% in 2024; staying and taking expanded responsibilities yielded an average 8.1% pay increase versus 5% for job-switchers. The top 1% earn more than $3.2 million, approximately ten times the median. Seventy percent receive equity; tech and financial services pay highest. Seventy-one percent receive executive perks including increased D&O insurance and deferred compensation plans.

Read at Securitymagazine