Emergency Management Directors

Plan and direct disaster response or crisis management activities, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies or hazardous materials spills) disasters or hostage situations.

$86,130

Median Annual Pay

Jobs growth:

+3% projected 2024–2034

Bachelor's degree

Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Emergency management directors coordinate their community's response to disasters and crises, from hurricanes and floods to hazardous material spills and public health emergencies. They develop comprehensive emergency plans that outline how their organization or community will respond when disaster strikes, ensuring everyone knows their role during a crisis. Much of their time is spent conducting risk assessments, identifying potential vulnerabilities, and updating response protocols based on new threats or lessons learned from past events.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Homeland Security(masters)George Mason University, VA

Homeland Security(doctoral)Capella University, MN

Homeland Security(masters)George Washington University, DC

Homeland Security(bachelors)George Mason University, VA

Homeland Security(masters)Utica University, NY

Homeland Security(masters)Columbia Southern University, AL

Homeland Security(masters)University of South Florida, FL

Homeland Security(masters)Arizona State University Campus Immersion, AZ

Homeland Security(masters)Arizona State University Digital Immersion, AZ

Homeland Security(masters)Georgetown University, DC

Homeland Security(masters)Florida International University, FL

Homeland Security(bachelors)Bethel University, TN

Homeland Security(masters)American Public University System, WV

Homeland Security(masters)Southern New Hampshire University, NH

Homeland Security(masters)Adler University, IL

Homeland Security(masters)ECPI University, VA

Homeland Security(masters)American InterContinental University System, AZ

Homeland Security(masters)CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice, NY

Homeland Security(masters)Drexel University, PA

Homeland Security(masters)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide, FL

Homeland Security(masters)Charleston Southern University, SC

Homeland Security(masters)Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, FL

Homeland Security(masters)Angelo State University, TX

Homeland Security(masters)Auburn University at Montgomery, AL

Homeland Security(masters)Arkansas State University, AR

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