Average CISM Salary in the DC-MD-VA Metro Area [2017]

CISMs in DC and Virginia Earn an Average of $128,340 per Year

The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification by ISACA is probably the most lucrative certification an InfoSec professional can earn. CISMs in the DC, Maryland and Virginia metro area earn an average of $10,000 more per year than their peers who hold a CISSP certification.

Top Paying States for CISMs

Here’s what a CISM can earn you throughout the United States:

• New York – $143,554
• Washington State – $133,449
• Washington, DC – $132,421
• California – $128,894
• Texas – $125,556
• Virginia – $124,259
• Florida – $106,853

Average CISM Salary Earned with Minimum 10 Years Work Experience

Similar to the CISSP, an InfoSec pro shouldn’t attempt the CISM exam without a minimum of 5 years’ work experience. In order to qualify for the certification, professionals must verify 5 years of total infosec work experience and at least 3 of those years need to be in management and relate to at least 3 of the CISM’s job practice analysis areas. Due to these requirements, most CISMs have extensive experience in the field and average salaries reflect that. According to PayScale.com, the majority of CISM respondents have between 10 and 20+ years of experience and earn $127,508 and $138,086, respectively.

Top Job Roles for CISMs in 2017

Any of the below job titles are ideal for earning an ISACA Certified Information Security Manager certification and increasing your salary to the averages listed:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) – $157,903
• Director, Computing/Networking/IT Security – $149,753
• Chief Information Officer (CISO) – $145,290
• IT Security Architect – $125,448
• Information Security Manager – $117,647
• Information Security Officer – $101,532
• Information Security Analyst – $91,922

A CISM certification can be applied to a wide variety of industries. PayScale respondents listed some the following employers:

• Microsoft
• US Air Force
• JP Morgan Chase & Co
• Ernst & Young
• Equifax Inc
• Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC)
• Citibank
• Time Warner Cable Company
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise
• Aetna, INC
• University of Arizona
• Kobie Marketing
• Sandy Spring Bank
• Cisco Systems Inc
• General Dynamics
• Booz Allen Hamilton
• Wells Fargo & Co.