Emergency management directors
SOC Code: 11-9161Also known as:
911 Communications Manager, Change Management Specialist, Civil Defense Director, Civil Preparedness Officer, Disaster Response Director
Median Annual Salary
$86,130
+3.0% growth (2024-2034)
1K
Openings/Year
13K
Current Jobs
What Emergency management directors Do
Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.
💰 Salary
$86,130
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+3.0%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
1K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
5 years or more
Required before entry
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
13,200
Projected Employment (2034)
13,600
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Top Skills Required
Service Orientation
Speaking
Complex Problem Solving
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Consult with officials of local and area governments, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
- Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
- Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
- Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
- Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
- Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
- Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
- Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
- Design and administer emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach people how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.
- Keep informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, response efforts, or plan implementation.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Emergency management directors
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a emergency management directors:
Homeland Security
2,871 degrees awarded •
110 colleges offer this program
Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management
2,513 degrees awarded •
141 colleges offer this program
Critical Infrastructure Protection
545 degrees awarded •
28 colleges offer this program
Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operations
181 degrees awarded •
14 colleges offer this program
Protective Services Operations
56 degrees awarded •
9 colleges offer this program
Critical Incident Response/Special Police Operations
35 degrees awarded •
1 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Emergency management directors
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become emergency management directors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency management directors make?
The median annual salary for emergency management directors is $86,130.
What education do emergency management directors need?
Most emergency management directors positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Homeland Security, Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management, Critical Infrastructure Protection.
Is becoming emergency management directors a good career choice?
Emergency management directors is projected to see +3.0% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 1,000 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for emergency management directors?
Top colleges for aspiring emergency management directors include
University of Southern California, Florida International University, University of Central Florida, Georgetown University, University of South Florida.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to emergency management directors?
Emergency management directors may also be known as: 911 Communications Manager, Change Management Specialist, Civil Defense Director, Civil Preparedness Officer, Disaster Response Director, Emergency Management Coordinator, Emergency Management Director, Emergency Management Planner, Emergency Management System Director (EMS Director), Emergency Manager, Emergency Planner, Emergency Planning and Response Manager, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Emergency Preparedness Manager, Emergency Response Coordinator, Emergency Services Director, Emergency Services Program Coordinator, Production Controller, Public Safety Director, Response Coordinator.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.