South Dakota Median
$67,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.30
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $93,330
State Rank
#41 of 47
120 employed here
How much does an Emergency Management Director make in South Dakota?
Emergency Management Directors in South Dakota take home a median of $67,180 annually — roughly $32.30 an hour — which runs 28% below the national median of $93,330.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $48,640 while the top 10% make $97,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,270 and $81,590 a year.
Emergency Management Director salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,640 | $23.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,270 | $24.65 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,180 | $32.30 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,590 | $39.23 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,850 | $47.04 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 41st out of 47 states and territories for Emergency Management Director pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Emergency Management Director salary in other states
District of Columbia $184,350New Mexico $145,550Washington $130,780California $129,910Colorado $129,660Massachusetts $123,250New Jersey $120,990Connecticut $113,380Oregon $110,720Maryland $107,200Minnesota $106,880Nevada $105,570Alaska $101,850Virginia $99,860Idaho $99,720Florida $99,020Louisiana $96,550Ohio $94,690North Carolina $93,840South Carolina $93,680Texas $93,570New York $92,570Nebraska $89,740Michigan $87,880Rhode Island $87,690Utah $84,860Maine $84,050Illinois $83,820Georgia $83,200Arizona $81,970Tennessee $81,800Pennsylvania $81,550New Hampshire $77,420Wisconsin $77,260North Dakota $76,640Missouri $75,660Kentucky $74,730Hawaii $74,290Iowa $73,700Kansas $68,000Wyoming $64,370Montana $62,770Oklahoma $60,990West Virginia $60,460Arkansas $50,180Mississippi $48,650
Working as an Emergency Management Director in South Dakota
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 South Dakota pay ($67,180) 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 South Dakota?
The median Emergency Management Director salary in South Dakota is $67,180 per year, or about $32.30 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,640 at the entry level to $97,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Emergency Management Directors about 28% less than the national median of $93,330. South Dakota ranks 41st out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Emergency Management Directors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $67,180 a year. About 120 Emergency Management Directors are employed in South Dakota. 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 South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.