Emergency Management Director Salary in 2026
How Much Do Emergency Management Directors Make?
Emergency Management Directors earn a median annual salary of $86,130 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $51,260 at the 10th percentile to $160,420 at the 90th percentile — a range of $109,160. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $185,810.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,260 |
| 25th percentile | $64,470 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 |
| 75th percentile | $119,690 |
| 90th percentile | $160,420 |
Emergency Management Director Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $185,810 |
| Washington | $129,110 |
| California | $126,210 |
| Massachusetts | $115,200 |
| New Mexico | $111,980 |
| Colorado | $109,710 |
| New Jersey | $108,780 |
| Oregon | $106,870 |
| Maryland | $104,270 |
| Connecticut | $103,390 |
| Minnesota | $99,600 |
| Alaska | $98,420 |
| Florida | $95,360 |
| Louisiana | $93,970 |
| Texas | $90,650 |
| New York | $90,130 |
| Rhode Island | $88,960 |
| Nebraska | $86,580 |
| Virginia | $85,690 |
| Ohio | $85,580 |
| North Carolina | $85,490 |
| Idaho | $85,280 |
| South Carolina | $82,780 |
| Nevada | $82,140 |
| Maine | $81,450 |
| North Dakota | $81,280 |
| Vermont | $80,850 |
| Illinois | $80,590 |
| Utah | $79,750 |
| Arizona | $79,740 |
| Wisconsin | $79,150 |
| Tennessee | $78,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $78,190 |
| Michigan | $78,160 |
| Kentucky | $77,230 |
| Georgia | $75,280 |
| Missouri | $74,560 |
| New Hampshire | $72,630 |
| Montana | $71,360 |
| Wyoming | $66,340 |
| South Dakota | $65,710 |
| Iowa | $65,640 |
| Alabama | $65,570 |
| Indiana | $63,540 |
| Kansas | $62,830 |
| West Virginia | $61,780 |
| Oklahoma | $59,990 |
| Arkansas | $49,000 |
| Mississippi | $47,850 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Emergency Management Directors
Emergency Management Director Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$51,260 – $64,470 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$86,130 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$119,690 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $160,420+ |
How to Earn More as an Emergency Management Director
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Emergency Management Directors in District of Columbia earn $185,810 — $99,680 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($119,690) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Emergency Management Director Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Emergency Management Directorthis career | $86,130 |
| Security Manager | $104,690 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,960 |
| Compliance Manager | $136,550 |
| Loss Prevention Manager | $136,550 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 11-9161.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.