Emergency Management Directors
O*NET 11-9161.00 · SOC 11-9161
Emergency Management Director is a solid career choice. Median pay is $93k a year with +3.9% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 1,100 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Develop and update the community emergency operations plan
- →Coordinate disaster response drills with police, fire, and hospitals
- →Brief elected officials and media during active emergency events
- →Apply for FEMA grants to fund local preparedness equipment
- →Assess community vulnerabilities and prioritize mitigation projects
Education & How to Get In
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Emergency Management Director roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.
Get Started Learning
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Work Environment
Leadership, offices, client meetings, or hybrid
Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as an Emergency Management Director involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Emergency Management Director?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Emergency Management Director Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
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Job Outlook
Employment of Emergency Management Directors is projected to grow 3.9% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does an Emergency Management Director make?
The median Emergency Management Director earns $93k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Emergency Management Director jobs?
Our model puts Emergency Management Director at 34 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 34% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.
Is Emergency Management Director a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 3.9% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 1,100 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be an Emergency Management Director?
A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Emergency Management Director roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.
How long does it take to become an Emergency Management Director?
Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is an Emergency Management Director career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
Take the assessment →Free to take · Matches $9 · No account required · 7 minutes