Emergency Management Director salary in Colorado
Emergency Management Directors in Colorado earn a median of $129,660 a year ($62.34 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $88,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,810 for the top 10%. That is 39% higher than the national median of $93,330. Colorado ranks 5th of 47 states for emergency management directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $125,080, close to the median.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,200 | $42.40 |
| 25th percentile | $103,630 | $49.82 |
| Median | $129,660 | $62.34 |
| 75th percentile | $136,930 | $65.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,810 | $80.20 |
| Average (mean) | $125,080 | $60.14 |
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 | $10,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,402.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,986.92 |
| Weekly | $2,493.46 |
| Hourly | $62.34 |
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 Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $136,930 | n/a |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $171,140 | $82.28 |
| Construction Manager | $124,830 | $60.02 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $110,530 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $183,810 | $88.37 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $97,440 | $46.84 |
| Food Service Manager | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $100,080 | $48.12 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $118,440 | $56.94 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $152,730 | $73.43 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Lodging Manager | $91,750 | $44.11 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $97,000 | $46.63 |
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 Colorado?
The median salary for emergency management directors in Colorado is $129,660 a year, or $62.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Colorado?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in Colorado earn at least $166,810 a year. The top 25% earn $136,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,200 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $103,630 or less.