Emergency Management Director Salary in Washington (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$130,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$62.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+40% vs US median
US median $93,330
State Rank
#3 of 47
180 employed here

How much does an Emergency Management Director make in Washington?

An Emergency Management Director working in Washington earns a median salary of $130,780 per year, or about $62.88 per hour. That is 40% above the national median of $93,330 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $94,020 while the top 10% make $184,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $108,740 and $158,160 a year.

Emergency Management Director salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$94,020$45.20
25th percentile (early career)$108,740$52.28
50th percentile (median)$130,780$62.88
75th percentile (experienced)$158,160$76.04
90th percentile (top earners)$184,740$88.82

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 3rd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($130,780) 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 Washington?
The median Emergency Management Director salary in Washington is $130,780 per year, or about $62.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $94,020 at the entry level to $184,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Emergency Management Directors about 40% more than the national median of $93,330. Washington ranks 3rd out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Emergency Management Directors?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $130,780 a year. About 180 Emergency Management Directors are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.