Emergency Management Director salary in Columbia, SC
Emergency Management Directors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $71,110 a year ($34.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,470 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $93,330. Pay here is 24% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $93,680. There are 0.23 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $84,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| 25th percentile | $60,810 | $29.24 |
| Median | $71,110 | $34.19 |
| 75th percentile | $100,530 | $48.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $137,470 | $66.09 |
| Average (mean) | $84,550 | $40.65 |
Half of emergency management directors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,925.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,962.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,735 |
| Weekly | $1,367.50 |
| Hourly | $34.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,110 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Emergency Management Director salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $101,300 | 90 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $94,330 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for emergency management directors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $184,350 |
| New Mexico | $145,550 |
| Washington | $130,780 |
| California | $129,910 |
| Colorado | $129,660 |
| Massachusetts | $123,250 |
| New Jersey | $120,990 |
| Connecticut | $113,380 |
| Oregon | $110,720 |
| Maryland | $107,200 |
See Emergency Management Director pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,280 | $51.58 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $101,830 | — |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $59,540 | $28.63 |
| Food Service Manager | $60,860 | $29.26 |
| Construction Manager | $112,180 | $53.93 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $78,240 | $37.61 |
| Managers, All Other | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $162,260 | $78.01 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $100,440 | $48.29 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $46,510 | $22.36 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Lodging Manager | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $66,400 | $31.92 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9161. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency management director make in Columbia, SC?
The median salary for emergency management directors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $71,110 a year, or $34.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $137,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $137,470 a year. The top 25% earn $100,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,990 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $60,810 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in Columbia, SC?
About 90 emergency management directors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.