Emergency Management Director salary in Kentucky
Emergency Management Directors in Kentucky earn a median of $74,730 a year ($35.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,210 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $93,330. Kentucky ranks 37th of 47 states for emergency management directors pay. There are 0.08 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| 25th percentile | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| Median | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| 75th percentile | $93,100 | $44.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,210 | $52.50 |
| Average (mean) | $74,990 | $36.06 |
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 | $6,227.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,113.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,874.23 |
| Weekly | $1,437.12 |
| Hourly | $35.93 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $88,040 | 50 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $78,050 | 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $103,450 | $49.74 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $99,920 | — |
| Construction Manager | $97,020 | $46.64 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| Managers, All Other | $122,930 | $59.10 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $147,680 | $71.00 |
| Food Service Manager | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $114,310 | $54.96 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Funeral Home Manager | $47,040 | $22.62 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $126,440 | $60.79 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $80,130 | $38.52 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for emergency management directors in Kentucky is $74,730 a year, or $35.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in Kentucky earn at least $109,210 a year. The top 25% earn $93,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,710 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $44,990 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in Kentucky?
About 150 emergency management directors are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.