Emergency Management Directors
Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies.
Is emergency management directors a good career?
It scores 21/100 and ranks #289 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($93,330 vs $61,390)
Possible tradeoffs
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (5 years or more)
What emergency management directors earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. emergency management directors earn between $67,910 and $126,490 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live emergency management directors jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow as fast as average through 2034.
Education
Emergency management directors typically need a bachelor’s degree in security and protective service, business, or emergency management. Some directors working in the private sector in business continuity management may need a degree in computer science, information systems administration, or another computer and information technology (IT) field.
Small municipalities or local governments may hire applicants whose highest level of educational attainment is a high school diploma. However, these applicants usually must have extensive work experience in emergency management if they are to be hired.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some states require directors to obtain certification within a certain timeframe after being hired in the position.
Many agencies and states offer voluntary certification programs to help emergency management directors obtain additional skills. Some employers may prefer or even require a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP), or equivalent designation.
Certification must be renewed after a specified number of years. Some organizations require candidates to complete certain continuing education courses prior to recertification.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Emergency management directors must be able to clearly convey their emergency preparedness plans, both orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences.
Critical-thinking skills. Emergency management directors must anticipate hazards and problems that may arise from an emergency in order to respond effectively.
Decision-making skills. Emergency management directors must analyze and choose among options, often in stressful situations. They must identify the strengths and weaknesses, costs and benefits, and other variables of each approach.
Interpersonal skills. Emergency management directors must work with other government agencies, law enforcement and fire officials, and the public to coordinate emergency responses.
Leadership skills. To ensure effective responses to emergencies, emergency management directors need to organize and train a variety of people.
Related occupations
How much do emergency management directors make?
The national median wage is $93,330 a year, with the middle half earning between $67,910 and $126,490 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is emergency management directors a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 21 of 100 and ranks #289 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +3.0% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a emergency management director?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with 5 years or more.
Where do emergency management directors earn the most?
Among states, District of Columbia pays the highest median ($184,350). Local pay for every state and metro is below.