Emergency Management Director salary in California
Emergency Management Directors in California earn a median of $129,910 a year ($62.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $90,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,020 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $93,330. California ranks 4th of 47 states for emergency management directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.06 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $138,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $90,130 | $43.33 |
| 25th percentile | $105,320 | $50.64 |
| Median | $129,910 | $62.46 |
| 75th percentile | $163,130 | $78.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $199,020 | $95.68 |
| Average (mean) | $138,120 | $66.40 |
Half of emergency management directors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,825.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,412.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,996.54 |
| Weekly | $2,498.27 |
| Hourly | $62.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Emergency Management Director salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,540 | 50 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $161,180 | 150 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $136,270 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $130,020 | 300 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $117,070 | 60 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $107,430 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for emergency management directors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $184,350 |
| New Mexico | $145,550 |
| Washington | $130,780 |
| California | $129,910 |
| Colorado | $129,660 |
| Massachusetts | $123,250 |
| New Jersey | $120,990 |
| Connecticut | $113,380 |
| Oregon | $110,720 |
| Maryland | $107,200 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $174,560 | $83.92 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $141,480 | $68.02 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $77,030 | $37.04 |
| Construction Manager | $133,160 | $64.02 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $83,210 | $40.01 |
| Food Service Manager | $78,260 | $37.63 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $159,950 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $210,280 | $101.10 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $210,230 | $101.07 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $67,100 | $32.26 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| Lodging Manager | $76,950 | $37.00 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9161. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a emergency management director make in California?
The median salary for emergency management directors in California is $129,910 a year, or $62.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $90,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $199,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in California?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in California earn at least $199,020 a year. The top 25% earn $163,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $90,130 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $105,320 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in California?
About 1,170 emergency management directors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.