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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Emergency Management Directors

Median Salary
83,960
Job Outlook
+4%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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 sectors do they work in?

State and local government

47%

Federal Government

25%

Private for profit

15%

Private not for profit

12%

Self-employed

1%

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings for emergency management directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$45,680

10%

$83,960

Median

$176,450

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    59%

  • Master's degree

    13%

  • Some college

    9%

  • Post baccalaureate

    9%

  • High school

    4%

  • Associate's degree

    4%


Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Homeland Security
  • Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management
  • Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operations
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection
  • Critical Incident Response/Special Police Operations
  • Protective Services Operations

Skills and Interests

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Verbal Skills

    High

  • Leadership

    High

  • Math and Science Skills

    High

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    High

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low


What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Administration and Management
  • Computers and Electronics

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Level Of Competition

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Low

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low


What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.