Emergency Management Director Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Emergency Management Directors in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$184,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$88.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+98% vs US median
US median $93,330
State Rank
#1 of 47
150 employed here

How much does an Emergency Management Director make in District of Columbia?

Emergency Management Directors in District of Columbia take home a median of $184,350 annually — roughly $88.63 an hour — which runs 98% above the national median of $93,330.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $89,990 while the top 10% make $195,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $141,710 and $195,190 a year.

Emergency Management Director salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$89,990$43.26
25th percentile (early career)$141,710$68.13
50th percentile (median)$184,350$88.63
75th percentile (experienced)$195,190$93.84
90th percentile (top earners)$195,190$93.84

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories for Emergency Management Director pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$184,350
2New Mexico$145,550
3Washington$130,780
4California$129,910
5Colorado$129,660

Working as an Emergency Management Director in District of Columbia

Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Emergency Management Directors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($184,350) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Emergency Management Director make in District of Columbia?
The median Emergency Management Director salary in District of Columbia is $184,350 per year, or about $88.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $89,990 at the entry level to $195,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Emergency Management Directors about 98% more than the national median of $93,330. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Emergency Management Directors?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $184,350 a year. About 150 Emergency Management Directors are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Emergency Management Director salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.