Emergency Management Director Salary in North Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$93,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$45.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+1% vs US median
US median $93,330
State Rank
#19 of 47
420 employed here

How much does an Emergency Management Director make in North Carolina?

Emergency Management Directors in North Carolina take home a median of $93,840 annually — roughly $45.12 an hour — which runs 1% above the national median of $93,330.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $66,800 while the top 10% make $129,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $78,010 and $118,920 a year.

Emergency Management Director salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$66,800$32.12
25th percentile (early career)$78,010$37.50
50th percentile (median)$93,840$45.12
75th percentile (experienced)$118,920$57.17
90th percentile (top earners)$129,980$62.49

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 19th 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 North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($93,840) 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 North Carolina?
The median Emergency Management Director salary in North Carolina is $93,840 per year, or about $45.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $66,800 at the entry level to $129,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Emergency Management Directors about 1% more than the national median of $93,330. North Carolina ranks 19th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Emergency Management Directors?
Yes on pay — North Carolina pays above the national median for this occupation, at $93,840 a year. About 420 Emergency Management Directors are employed in North Carolina. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.