Emergency Management Director Salary in Iowa (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Iowa Median
$73,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $93,330
State Rank
#39 of 47
130 employed here

How much does an Emergency Management Director make in Iowa?

An Emergency Management Director working in Iowa earns a median salary of $73,700 per year, or about $35.43 per hour. That is 21% below the national median of $93,330 for this occupation.

Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $45,450 while the top 10% make $109,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,520 and $89,560 a year.

Emergency Management Director salary range in Iowa

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,450$21.85
25th percentile (early career)$59,520$28.62
50th percentile (median)$73,700$35.43
75th percentile (experienced)$89,560$43.06
90th percentile (top earners)$109,790$52.78

How Iowa compares

Iowa ranks 39th 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 Iowa

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 Iowa pay ($73,700) 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 Iowa?
The median Emergency Management Director salary in Iowa is $73,700 per year, or about $35.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,450 at the entry level to $109,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Emergency Management Directors about 21% less than the national median of $93,330. Iowa ranks 39th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Emergency Management Directors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $73,700 a year. About 130 Emergency Management Directors are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.