Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
Emergency Management Directors
SOC: 11-9161 O*NET: 11-9161.00
Median Salary
$86,130
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
What does a Emergency Management Directors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$51,260
10th percentile
Early Career
$64,470
25th percentile
Median
$86,130
50th percentile
Experienced
$119,690
75th percentile
Top Earners
$160,420
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$51,260
25th
$64,470
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$86,130
Mean: $97,700
75th
$119,690
90th
$160,420
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $109,160 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $64,470 and $119,690
- •Salary spread is 64.1% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 12,570 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:13,200
Top Industries
Hospitals4.9%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals4.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services2.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3%
Annual Openings:1,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)13,200
Current
2034 (Projected)13,600
+3%
+400
Employment Change
+3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Emergency Management Directors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
1,080 jobs$126,2100.73x
Texas
1,070 jobs$90,6500.94x
New York
750 jobs$90,1300.96x
Florida
620 jobs$95,3600.77x
Georgia
480 jobs$75,2801.20x
North Carolina
460 jobs$85,4901.15x
Illinois
460 jobs$80,5900.93x
Pennsylvania
450 jobs$78,1900.93x
Virginia
410 jobs$85,6901.23x
Tennessee
410 jobs$78,7201.53x
New Jersey
400 jobs$108,7801.16x
Indiana
400 jobs$63,5401.56x
South Carolina
300 jobs$82,7801.60x
Oklahoma
280 jobs$59,9902.00x
Ohio
260 jobs$85,5800.58x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Service Orientation
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Complex Problem Solving
86%
#4
Coordination
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Writing
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Service Orientation
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced4.3
86%
Coordination
intermediate4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Service Orientation
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Writing
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Registered Nurses82%
5 shared skills
Physician Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Child, Family, and School Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers82%
5 shared skills
Dietitians and Nutritionists82%
5 shared skills
Emergency Medicine Physicians82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Service Orientation
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Coordination
- ✓Complex Problem Solving
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Speaking
- ★Complex Problem Solving
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Emergency Management Directors
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechESRI ArcGIS software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (15)General Responsibilities (2)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Keep informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, response efforts, or plan implementation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Propose alteration of emergency response procedures, based on regulatory changes, technological changes, or knowledge gained from outcomes of previous emergency situations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Keep informed of federal, state, and local regulations affecting emergency plans, and ensure that plans adhere to those regulations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation79% perform86%
9
Design and administer emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach people how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Inspect facilities and equipment, such as emergency management centers and communications equipment, to determine their operational and functional capabilities in emergency situations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Emergency Management Directors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Emergency Management Directors professionals typically have a ECI Holland code and highly value independence
EEnterprising
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Emergency Management Directors
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.68
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.64
Leadership
CriticalLeadership
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.45
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.41
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.41
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Leadership
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Initiative
4.4
Self-Control
4.4
Concern for Others
4.2
Persistence
4.1
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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