Emergency Management Director salary in Iowa
Emergency Management Directors in Iowa earn a median of $73,700 a year ($35.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,790 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $93,330. Iowa ranks 39th of 47 states for emergency management directors pay. There are 0.09 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| 25th percentile | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Median | $73,700 | $35.43 |
| 75th percentile | $89,560 | $43.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,790 | $52.79 |
| Average (mean) | $76,810 | $36.93 |
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 | $6,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,070.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,834.62 |
| Weekly | $1,417.31 |
| Hourly | $35.43 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $104,880 | 40 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $101,940 | $49.01 |
| Managers, All Other | $128,080 | $61.58 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,260 | — |
| Construction Manager | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $89,320 | $42.94 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $57,980 | $27.88 |
| Food Service Manager | $66,700 | $32.07 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $147,320 | $70.83 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $68,320 | $32.85 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $109,760 | $52.77 |
| Lodging Manager | $59,680 | $28.69 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $92,970 | $44.70 |
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 Iowa?
The median salary for emergency management directors in Iowa is $73,700 a year, or $35.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in Iowa earn at least $109,790 a year. The top 25% earn $89,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,450 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $59,520 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in Iowa?
About 130 emergency management directors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.