Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Emergency management directors typically need a bachelor’s degree and many years of work experience in emergency response, disaster planning, or public administration. PayThe median annual wage for emergency management directors was $93,330 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,100 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for emergency management directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of emergency management directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about emergency management directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for emergency management directors was $93,330 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,100 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for emergency management directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of emergency management directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about emergency management directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 1,100 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for emergency management directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of emergency management directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about emergency management directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
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.
Work Environment
Most emergency management directors work for local or state governments. Others work for organizations such as hospitals, colleges and universities, or private companies.
How to Become an Emergency Management Director
Emergency management directors typically need a bachelor’s degree and many years of work experience in emergency response, disaster planning, or public administration.
Pay
The median annual wage for emergency management directors was $93,330 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 1,100 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for emergency management directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of emergency management directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about emergency management directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Most emergency management directors work for local or state governments. Others work for organizations such as hospitals, colleges and universities, or private companies.
How to Become an Emergency Management Director
Emergency management directors typically need a bachelor’s degree and many years of work experience in emergency response, disaster planning, or public administration.
Pay
The median annual wage for emergency management directors was $93,330 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of emergency management directors is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 1,100 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for emergency management directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of emergency management directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about emergency management directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for emergency management directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of emergency management directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about emergency management directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about emergency management directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.