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Emergency management director: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $54,210lowest 10% earn less
- $67,91025th percentile
- $93,330median
- $126,49075th percentile
- $166,430top 10% earn more
An emergency management director had a median pay of $93,330 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, a little faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[2][3].
How much do emergency management directors make?
In May 2025, the median pay for emergency management directors was $93,330 a year, or $44.87 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $102,420 a year, or $49.24 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980 a year[5].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $54,210 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $67,910[4]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $126,490, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $166,430[4]. In hourly terms, those four marks were $26.06, $32.65, $60.81 and $80.02[9]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentiles rather than a starting salary[10].
These figures cover wage and salary jobs. They leave out self-employed workers, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 13,500 people held these jobs in May 2025[12].
Pay by state and city
Among 46 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $184,350[13]. New Mexico followed at $145,550, then Washington at $130,780, California at $129,910 and Colorado at $129,660[13]. Mississippi had the lowest median in that list at $48,650[13].
Texas had the most jobs at 1,210[14]. California had 1,170, New York 790, Florida 720 and Pennsylvania 520[14].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV had the highest median at $163,220[15]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA followed at $161,180, then Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL, both at $130,020[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ area had the most jobs at 630[16].
Show median pay in 46 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[13] | $184,350 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $145,550 | 170 |
| Washington | $130,780 | 180 |
| California | $129,910 | 1,170 |
| Colorado | $129,660 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $123,250 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $120,990 | 490 |
| Connecticut | $113,380 | 180 |
| Oregon | $110,720 | 120 |
| Maryland | $107,200 | 150 |
| Minnesota | $106,880 | 190 |
| Nevada | $105,570 | 60 |
| Alaska | $101,850 | 120 |
| Virginia | $99,860 | 450 |
| Idaho | $99,720 | 80 |
| Florida | $99,020 | 720 |
| Louisiana | $96,550 | 180 |
| Ohio | $94,690 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $93,840 | 420 |
| South Carolina | $93,680 | 330 |
| Texas | $93,570 | 1,210 |
| New York | $92,570 | 790 |
| Nebraska | $89,740 | 120 |
| Michigan | $87,880 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $87,690 | 30 |
| Utah | $84,860 | 170 |
| Maine | $84,050 | 80 |
| Illinois | $83,820 | 450 |
| Georgia | $83,200 | 430 |
| Arizona | $81,970 | 160 |
| Tennessee | $81,800 | 370 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,550 | 520 |
| New Hampshire | $77,420 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $77,260 | 240 |
| North Dakota | $76,640 | 80 |
| Missouri | $75,660 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $74,730 | 150 |
| Hawaii | $74,290 | 90 |
| Iowa | $73,700 | 130 |
| Kansas | $68,000 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $67,180 | 120 |
| Wyoming | $64,370 | 50 |
| Montana | $62,770 | 90 |
| Oklahoma | $60,990 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $60,460 | 120 |
| Arkansas | $50,180 | 160 |
| Mississippi | $48,650 | 230 |
How to become an emergency management director
BLS describes the usual route as a bachelor's degree plus a long stretch of related work[17]. The steps look like this:
- First: earn a bachelor's degree. BLS lists it as the typical entry education[7]. Fields named include security and protective service, business and emergency management[18]. Directors in business continuity at private companies may need a degree in a computer or IT field[18].
- Next: build 5 years or more of experience in a related occupation[7]. That experience usually comes from the military, law enforcement, fire safety or another emergency management field[19].
- Then: look into certification. Some states require directors to get certified within a set time after being hired[20]. Many agencies and states offer voluntary programs, and some employers prefer or require a designation such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) or Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)[21]. Certification has to be renewed after a set number of years[22].
Small municipalities or local governments may hire someone whose highest education is a high school diploma, but that person usually needs extensive emergency management experience[23]. BLS lists no typical on-the-job training for this occupation[7].
In an O*NET survey of 22 workers, 59% said a bachelor's degree was the education level required[24]. Another 14% said a master's degree, 9% said some college courses and 9% said a post-baccalaureate certificate[24].
What emergency management directors do
O*NET describes the job as planning and directing disaster response or crisis work, offering preparedness training, and writing emergency plans for natural, wartime or technological disasters and hostage situations[25]. Common tasks include:
- Meeting with local governments, schools, hospitals and other institutions to learn what they need and can do in an emergency[26].
- Keeping working ties with cities, counties and similar bodies so plans and response efforts fit together[26].
- Coordinating the response, such as ordering evacuations and opening public shelters[26].
- Writing status reports on response and recovery efforts[26].
- Writing and updating emergency plans and the materials that go with them[26].
- Testing and evaluating plans under state and federal rules[26].
- Reviewing damage assessments with other officials after a disaster[26].
- Designing and running preparedness training courses[26].
BLS names communication, critical-thinking, decision-making and interpersonal skills as important for the work[27][28][29][30].
Where they work
Local government, excluding education and hospitals, was the largest employer, with 55% of these directors in 2025[31].
Most directors work in an office, and they typically travel to meet with government agencies, community groups and private companies[32]. During disasters and emergencies, they often work in stressful situations[33].
Most work full time and are on call at all times, and they may work overtime during emergencies[34]. Some work evenings and weekends to meet with community groups while preparing plans[34].
Job outlook
BLS projects that employment of emergency management directors will grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 14,000 jobs to 14,500, a gain of 500[2]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. For all occupations, BLS projects growth of 3.5% over the same years[3].
BLS expects about 1,100 openings a year on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.8% of workers leave the labor force and 4.3% move to a different occupation[35].
The OEWS count of 13,500 jobs[12] and the projections count of about 14,000[2] measure different things, so they do not match exactly.
Is it a good fit?
Pay is well above the all-occupations median, but the path asks for a bachelor's degree and 5 years or more of related experience[1][5][7]. That experience usually comes from fields such as the military, law enforcement or fire safety[19]. Pay depends on location, with state medians ranging from $48,650 to $184,350[13]. Growth is about the same as the average, with roughly 1,100 openings a year[2][3][6]. The work involves stress during emergencies and, for most directors, being on call at all times[33][34].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an emergency management director make an hour?
- BLS reports a median of $44.87 an hour for emergency management directors in May 2025, with an average of $49.24[1][8].
- What degree do you need to be an emergency management director?
- BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[7]. Small local governments may hire someone with a high school diploma and extensive experience[23].
- How long does it take to become an emergency management director?
- BLS lists 5 years or more of related work experience in addition to a bachelor's degree[7].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Emergency Management Directors in the US was $93,330 per year and $44.87 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Emergency Management Directors is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 14,000 to 14,500 jobs (a change of +500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Emergency Management Directors: 10th percentile $54,210, 25th percentile $67,910, 75th percentile $126,490, 90th percentile $166,430. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 1,100 openings for Emergency Management Directors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Emergency Management Directors: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: 5 years or more; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Emergency Management Directors was $102,420 per year and $49.24 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Emergency Management Directors: 10th percentile $26.06, 25th percentile $32.65, 75th percentile $60.81, 90th percentile $80.02. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 13,500 people were employed as Emergency Management Directors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Emergency Management Directors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Emergency Management Directors jobs: Texas 1,210; California 1,170; New York 790; Florida 720; Pennsylvania 520. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Emergency Management Directors (areas with at least 100 jobs): Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $163,220; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $161,180; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $130,020; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL $130,020; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $126,570; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $111,950; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $111,350; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $109,140. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Emergency Management Directors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 630 (median $100,980); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 310 (median $163,220); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 300 (median $96,650); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 300 (median $130,020); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 280 (median $109,140); Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA 270 (median $107,430). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 11-9161.00 survey of workers (22 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 59%, Master's Degree 14%, Some College Courses 9%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Emergency Management Directors. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Emergency Management Directors. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of emergency management directors in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 55%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Emergency Management Directors: 2.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.