Risk management is a viable and sustainable career, the hours are reasonable, stress level not as high as in trading, but requires constant learning due to ever-changing markets.

Risk manager is usually well-respected in a bank. A VP risk manager or above in a top-tier bank makes at least 200k/year and above.
Market risk commands the highest salary, closely followed by credit risk, and then operational risk. Bonus is not as high as a FO would get, but you can expect 3-9months. Can be higher if one is at SVP, MD level.

Good luck! Bloomberg recently wrote an article of risk officers getting paid as much as 10 bucks....


Chief Risk Officer Rises to $10 Million Job Following Derivatives Meltdown - Bloomberg