Emergency management directors
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$86,130
~$41/hr · ~$7,178/mo
US Jobs
13K
As fast as average
AI & Automation Risk
6/10
Moderate
AI & Automation Risk
Moderate 6/10
The role involves significant digital knowledge work, such as analyzing hazards, drafting complex response plans, and managing federal funding applications, all of which are highly susceptible to AI augmentation. However, the core of the job requires high-stakes real-time decision-making, physical presence at command centers during disasters, and intense interpersonal coordination with government officials and the public, providing a buffer against full automation.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVBEST VALUE | $153,910 | Above avg (109.5) | $140,502 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $122,040 | Below avg (90.8) | $134,416 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $156,950 | Above avg (117.6) | $133,517 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $138,970 | Above avg (110.7) | $125,491 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $139,630 | Above avg (112.7) | $123,861 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $127,200 | Above avg (107.3) | $118,501 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $125,530 | Above avg (110.4) | $113,712 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $117,160 | Above avg (104.3) | $112,328 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,860 | Above avg (114.7) | $112,297 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $101,870 | Below avg (90.8) | $112,204 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $103,710 | Below avg (92.5) | $112,149 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $99,930 | Below avg (91.2) | $109,580 |
| Toledo, OH | $98,160 | Below avg (90.6) | $108,316 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $112,190 | Above avg (105.8) | $106,072 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $105,600 | Average (99.6) | $105,976 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+3% (As fast as average)
Hourly Rate
~$41/hr
Monthly Income
~$7,178/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)