Emergency Management Director salary in Illinois
Emergency Management Directors in Illinois earn a median of $83,820 a year ($40.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,100 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $93,330. Illinois ranks 28th of 47 states for emergency management directors pay. There are 0.07 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $96,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| 25th percentile | $61,910 | $29.76 |
| Median | $83,820 | $40.30 |
| 75th percentile | $125,530 | $60.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $164,100 | $78.89 |
| Average (mean) | $96,410 | $46.35 |
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 | $6,985 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,492.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,223.85 |
| Weekly | $1,611.92 |
| Hourly | $40.30 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $101,130 | 240 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $83,390 | 100 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $140,240 | $67.42 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $117,850 | $56.66 |
| Construction Manager | $109,160 | $52.48 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $113,360 | — |
| Food Service Manager | $63,930 | $30.73 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $74,980 | $36.05 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $99,770 | $47.97 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $163,610 | $78.66 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $78,380 | $37.68 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $159,670 | $76.77 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $77,180 | $37.11 |
| Lodging Manager | $61,530 | $29.58 |
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 Illinois?
The median salary for emergency management directors in Illinois is $83,820 a year, or $40.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $164,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in Illinois earn at least $164,100 a year. The top 25% earn $125,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,110 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $61,910 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in Illinois?
About 450 emergency management directors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.