Emergency Management Director salary in Tennessee
Emergency Management Directors in Tennessee earn a median of $81,800 a year ($39.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,420 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $93,330. Tennessee ranks 31st of 47 states for emergency management directors pay. There are 0.11 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $88,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,780 | $26.82 |
| 25th percentile | $63,930 | $30.74 |
| Median | $81,800 | $39.33 |
| 75th percentile | $103,390 | $49.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,420 | $67.03 |
| Average (mean) | $88,970 | $42.78 |
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 | $6,816.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,408.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,146.15 |
| Weekly | $1,573.08 |
| Hourly | $39.33 |
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 Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $93,260 | 120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $86,670 | 70 |
| Knoxville, TN | $85,480 | 50 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $99,430 | $47.80 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $97,590 | — |
| Construction Manager | $110,200 | $52.98 |
| Food Service Manager | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $64,870 | $31.19 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $161,430 | $77.61 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $88,240 | $42.43 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $100,850 | $48.49 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $118,330 | $56.89 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Lodging Manager | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $70,530 | $33.91 |
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for emergency management directors in Tennessee is $81,800 a year, or $39.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in Tennessee earn at least $139,420 a year. The top 25% earn $103,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,780 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $63,930 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in Tennessee?
About 370 emergency management directors are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.