SOC 11-9161 · May 2025 · United States
Emergency Management Directors
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Emergency Management Directors across the United States is $93,330 per year, measured over 13,500 jobs. The highest state median is in District of Columbia, at $184,350.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
The next ten years
Projected to grow about as fast as average
- Change in jobs, 2024 to 2034
- +3.0%
- Openings per year
- 1,000
- Typical entry-level education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- 5 years or more
Includes jobs opened by workers leaving the occupation, not only new positions.
Projections are based on 2024 employment and run to 2034. The wages above are from the May 2025 survey, a separate BLS programme on a different release cycle, so the two are not two views of one dataset.
Where the pay is highest for Emergency Management Directors
Pay for this occupation varies by 278.9% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. District of Columbia pays $184,350 and Mississippi pays $48,650.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $184,350 | 150 | |
| 2 | New Mexico | $145,550 | 170 | |
| 3 | Washington | $130,780 | 180 | |
| 4 | California | $129,910 | 1,170 | |
| 5 | Colorado | $129,660 | — | |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $123,250 | 220 | |
| 7 | New Jersey | $120,990 | 490 | |
| 8 | Connecticut | $113,380 | 180 | |
| 9 | Oregon | $110,720 | 120 | |
| 10 | Maryland | $107,200 | 150 |
States with the most Emergency Management Directors jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 1,210 | $93,570 | |
| 2 | California | 1,170 | $129,910 | |
| 3 | New York | 790 | $92,570 | |
| 4 | Florida | 720 | $99,020 | |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 520 | $81,550 | |
| 6 | New Jersey | 490 | $120,990 | |
| 7 | Illinois | 450 | $83,820 | |
| 8 | Virginia | 450 | $99,860 | |
| 9 | Georgia | 430 | $83,200 | |
| 10 | North Carolina | 420 | $93,840 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose | $173,540 | 50 |
| 2 | Washington | $163,220 | 310 |
| 3 | San Francisco | $161,180 | 150 |
| 4 | Seattle | $155,320 | 90 |
| 5 | Denver | $136,930 | — |
| 6 | Las Vegas | $136,510 | 30 |
| 7 | Riverside | $136,270 | 90 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $135,910 | 50 |
| 9 | Worcester | $133,690 | 30 |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $130,020 | 300 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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