2025 Compensation Report for Resiliency Professionals

Now in its 23rd edition, the Compensation Report for Resiliency Professionals offers an in-depth analysis of the factors shaping earning potential across the global resiliency landscape. It explores how job title, experience, education, certifications, leadership ability, and hands-on expertise influence compensation outcomes. Based on more than two decades of benchmarking data, this complimentary report tracks long-term trends while addressing today’s evolving realities, particularly the shifting dynamics of the remote and hybrid job market and the rebalancing of employment demand following the COVID-era surge in resilience hiring.

Designed for professionals in Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Crisis Management, and Emergency Management, the report delivers key insights for both full-time employees and independent consultants. While many patterns align with 2024 findings, new trends are beginning to reshape the profession. Before diving into the full report’s detailed data and career strategies, we encourage you to review these highlights for essential context on the current—and future—state of the resiliency job market.

This year’s data reflects a mixed global outlook. Independent consultants experienced a 9.6% decline in total earnings, despite a 2.8% increase in hourly rates, suggesting softening demand and fewer billable hours. By contrast, permanently employed professionals saw a 5.7% global increase in base pay, signaling renewed internal investment in resiliency roles. The continued transition from remote to hybrid work is also tightening the talent pool, leading some employers to offer higher compensation to secure hybrid-capable staff.

Though the 5.7% gain marks a recovery from 2024’s 2.5% dip, it falls short of the 7% growth seen in 2023, a peak driven by post-pandemic needs around planning gaps, supply chain risks, and cybersecurity. In the U.S., wage growth has declined for the third consecutive year: from 10.1% in 2023 to 2.4% in 2024, and now 1.8% in 2025. Historically, U.S. wage growth has averaged 2.9% year over year and 4.0% across all years with positive growth. This recent dip signals a broader market recalibration, as the sharp gains of 2023 prove unsustainable. So what’s next for wage growth and hiring in 2026?

Employment Market Challenges

• Slow Start to 2025: Like many industries, the resiliency sector experienced sluggish hiring in early 2025, driven by inflation concerns, tariff negotiations, and political uncertainty.

• Hiring Freezes: Budget caution in large enterprises and public agencies, alongside restructuring, has constrained new headcount.

• Smaller Virtual Talent Pools: The pivot back to hybrid work has narrowed candidate access and made recruitment more complex.

Resiliency Market Update – Positive Hiring Indicators

• Rebound in Activity: After a slow start, job postings and contract opportunities have begun to climb, suggesting renewed momentum.

• Stable Demand: Ongoing global instability, regulatory requirements (e.g., DORA), cyber threats, and supply chain issues continue to sustain demand for skilled professionals.

• Boardroom Visibility: Resilience remains a strategic priority, with increased investment in continuity planning, risk mitigation, and digital transformation.

As workforce planning resumes, the job market is regaining momentum, though with greater caution. Wage growth is expected to stabilize at more sustainable levels, as companies balance preparedness with financial constraints. Even so, the long-term outlook remains optimistic. With resilience now embedded in enterprise risk and security strategies, employers are continuing to invest in talent and tools that support continuity and crisis response.

Emerging Trends to Watch in 2025 and 2026

• Public-to-Private Talent Shift: As FEMA, DHS, and other federal agencies restructure, seasoned emergency management professionals are migrating to the private sector, intensifying competition for top roles.

• Rise of Tech-Driven Resilience: AI, automation, and real-time monitoring are transforming how resiliency work is executed, elevating the value of tech fluency.

• Geopolitical Pressures: Ongoing cross-border risks, supply chain disruptions, and economic instability are reinforcing the critical role of enterprise-wide resilience planning.

These insights highlight a profession that is both evolving and essential, shaped by regulation, disruption, and innovation. Professionals who bring strategic vision, adaptability, and digital fluency will remain in demand.

Why This Report Matters

More than just a compensation benchmark, this report helps professionals and employers plan career moves, hiring strategies, and skill development in a changing landscape. The 23rd edition includes expert commentary and career tips designed to help readers stay ahead in a competitive, tech-enabled market.

Since 2001, we’ve remained committed to advancing the field through data-driven research. Our mission is to help organizations and professionals alike understand how resiliency is changing and what it takes to lead. Special thanks to all survey participants, our advisory board, and the Ambipar team for helping bring this report to life. Custom data findings are available on request.

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