CISM Certification: A Salary Guide for 2025

Cybersecurity leadership roles have become strategic business positions, earning premium salaries as organizations increasingly value security managers not just for their technical expertise but for their ability to translate complex cybersecurity risks into clear business terms. This makes the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification highly valuable in 2025, as it specifically prepares professionals to align industry-leading cybersecurity strategies with organizational goals.

In the U.S., CISM-certified professionals commonly earn well into six figures​. This article provides a deep-dive into CISM salary expectations and trends for 2025, focusing on how CISM certification jobs role, experience, location, and industry influence earnings.

In this guide, we’ll explore CISM salary trends for 2025, covering everything from job roles and experience levels to regional differences and industry factors. Whether you’re considering CISM certification or already hold this credential, this comprehensive analysis will help you understand the financial benefits and career opportunities available to CISM professionals.

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification from ISACA is especially valuable because it targets management roles, which generally have higher salaries than purely technical roles. These positions involve leading teams, designing security policies, managing risk, and bridging the gap between technical teams and executive leadership.

CISM jobs include:

• Information Security Manager
• IT Security Director
• Cybersecurity Architect
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• Security Consultant
• IT Risk Manager
• Security Auditor

Currently, there are 36,232 job openings in the U.S. requesting CISM certification, yet only 20,300 professionals hold the credential. This significant talent gap puts CISM-certified professionals in an exceptionally strong position to negotiate higher pay and accelerate their career growth in 2025.

By obtaining the CISM certification, you’re signalling to employers that you’re qualified for high-level roles that carry significant responsibility – and, as we’ll discuss next, significant salaries.

While exact figures may differ based on multiple factors, the average CISM certification salary in the U.S. is around $155K (according to Skillsoft’s latest IT Skills and Salary Report). Many CISM jobs also offer bonuses and stock on top of base salaries. Keep in mind that not every CISM-certified professional will earn the same as your earning potential depends on the factors we’ll discuss next.

Given that salaries tend to vary across organizations, we’ve reviewed the average salaries in the U.S. for key CISM job titles to provide a clearer insight into salary expectations.

Sources: Payscale, Glassdoor, CyberSeek, and Skillsoft

Higher-level CISM job titles come with greater scope and thus higher compensation. For example, CISOs can earn roughly 40% more on average than information security managers. Knowing exactly which career path to target will help you strategically position yourself as a CISM-certified professional in today’s competitive job market.

Seasoned professionals are expected to bring more leadership and strategy skills, which companies are willing to pay a premium for. Someone with 15–20 years in the field (and the CISM certification to validate that expertise) can command a much higher salary than someone with just under five years of work experience. Security managers with three years experience typically average around $112K, whereas those with 10+ years earn about $158K – $172K per year.​

Here’s an example of recent CISM salaries shared on Glassdoor for information security managers according to experience.

On top of your job function and experience, the Glassdoor data highlights major salary differences based on where your company is located. Major tech and financial hubs and high cost-of-living areas tend to offer higher salaries to attract talent.

Cybersecurity professionals in the West Coast can earn about $200,000 on average, significantly higher than the next-highest paying region​ (Northeast US), with an average salary of $151,000. This is mainly due to the higher cost of living in many West Coast cities and a large concentration of big tech companies in the area.

CISM US jobs in coastal cities and tech corridors often pay above the national average, while positions in the Midwest or smaller markets might pay less (though still financially lucrative). States like California and New Jersey see salaries for InfoSec directors averaging around $208K​, whereas states like Florida may average closer to $180K for the same role​.

The industry you choose will greatly influence your CISM average salary. Highly regulated industries like finance, banking, and healthcare tend to invest heavily in security management and offer competitive salaries to attract top talent. Information security directors in financial services often see average salaries reaching into the mid-$160Ks due to strict compliance, risk exposure, and cybersecurity standards.

In 2025, large tech companies are increasingly prioritizing cybersecurity to protect their intellectual property and customer data. Many companies are willing to pay premium salaries to secure seasoned cybersecurity managers, especially in areas like software development, cloud services, and e-commerce.

Although sectors like education, nonprofits, or government agencies recognize cybersecurity as an essential, budget limitations mean CISM average salary tends to be lower. For example, an information security director in the education sector would earn around $138K, much lower than finance or tech. However, these roles might offer other appealing incentives such as excellent benefits, pension plans, and opportunities for work-life balance.

Government cybersecurity roles also come with opportunities to grow your skills (through traineeships or internships) while enjoying the stability of the public sector. While base salaries can sometimes be lower than private industry roles, many federal and state employees receive comprehensive health insurance, pension plan, and deferred compensation (457/401k) options. Additionally, professionals holding security clearances or specialized government experience often qualify for higher compensation tiers.

The CISM certification continues to prove its worth for cybersecurity professionals seeking management and leadership roles. It’s also consistently ranked among the highest-paying IT certifications globally, opening doors to senior-level roles and boosting professional credibility. Beyond salary potential, earning a CISM helps develop a strategic mindset and a valuable professional network, positioning you for long-term career success.

Demand for CISM jobs remains high in 2025, where the certification is seen as a deciding factor that sets a candidate apart for leadership roles. As of April 2025, a LinkedIn search showed hundreds of CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) openings in the U.S. mentioning the CISM certification as a desired requirement​. Equally important is the network you gain by earning CISM (through ISACA membership and events). These connections can introduce you to industry leaders, creating opportunities for mentorship, career guidance, and new job possibilities.

That said, CISM is most powerful when combined with hands-on experience. It’s not a shortcut to skip the ladder, but rather a force-multiplier for your hard-earned skills. Many hiring managers will favor a candidate who has solid infosec work history and a CISM over someone who only has the cert on paper. In fact, earning the official CISM designation requires at least five years of relevant work experience.

Read more:
Blog – The Complete Guide to ISACA Certifications
Blog – Top 15 Cyber Security Certifications for 2025

Throughout this article, we covered how CISM salaries tend to vary based on your job role, experience, industry, and location. Understanding these factors allows you to strategically leverage your certification during salary negotiations and career decisions.

Many professionals find that investing in a CISM certification pays off through higher earnings and enhanced professional stature, making it a worthy pursuit in 2025. By pairing your certification with relevant experience, you’ll be ideally positioned to secure higher-paying roles that best match your career goals.

[1] Glassdoor.com – How much does a CISM Certified Information Security Manager make? [Updated June 2024]

[2] ISC2.org – How Much Do U.S. Cyber Professionals Make?

[3] Insight.skillsoft.com – IT Skills and Salary Report 19th Edition | 2024

[4] Payscale.com – Salary for Certification: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

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