Emergency Management Director salary in Knoxville, TN
Emergency Management Directors in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $85,480 a year ($41.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,860 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $93,330. Pay here is 4% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $81,800. There are 0.13 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $90,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,590 | $24.80 |
| 25th percentile | $62,410 | $30.01 |
| Median | $85,480 | $41.10 |
| 75th percentile | $110,420 | $53.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,860 | $71.09 |
| Average (mean) | $90,520 | $43.52 |
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 | $7,123.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,561.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,287.69 |
| Weekly | $1,643.85 |
| Hourly | $41.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Emergency Management Director salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $93,260 | 120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $86,670 | 70 |
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 |
See Emergency Management Director pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $101,930 | $49.00 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $99,950 | — |
| Construction Manager | $101,910 | $48.99 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $162,950 | $78.34 |
| Food Service Manager | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $88,240 | $42.43 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $127,720 | $61.41 |
| Lodging Manager | $62,700 | $30.14 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $97,780 | $47.01 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for emergency management directors in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $85,480 a year, or $41.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $147,860 a year. The top 25% earn $110,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,590 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $62,410 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in Knoxville, TN?
About 50 emergency management directors are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.