Emergency Management Director salary in District of Columbia
Emergency Management Directors in District of Columbia earn a median of $184,350 a year ($88.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%. That is 98% higher than the national median of $93,330. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 47 states for emergency management directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.21 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $165,390, close to the median.
Pay range for emergency management directors in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,990 | $43.26 |
| 25th percentile | $141,710 | $68.13 |
| Median | $184,350 | $88.63 |
| 75th percentile | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,190 | $93.84 |
| Average (mean) | $165,390 | $79.52 |
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 | $15,362.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,681.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,090.38 |
| Weekly | $3,545.19 |
| Hourly | $88.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $184,350 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Emergency Management Director salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $163,220 | 310 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $175,720 | $84.48 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $94,080 | $45.23 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $155,140 | $74.59 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $137,470 | — |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $107,390 | $51.63 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $185,220 | $89.05 |
| Construction Manager | $126,430 | $60.78 |
| Food Service Manager | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $106,700 | $51.30 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Lodging Manager | $75,610 | $36.35 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $113,930 | $54.77 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for emergency management directors in District of Columbia is $184,350 a year, or $88.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in District of Columbia earn at least $195,190 a year. The top 25% earn $195,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,990 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $141,710 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in District of Columbia?
About 150 emergency management directors are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.