Emergency Management Director salary in Washington
Emergency Management Directors in Washington earn a median of $130,780 a year ($62.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,740 for the top 10%. That is 40% higher than the national median of $93,330. Washington ranks 3rd of 47 states for emergency management directors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.05 emergency management directors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $136,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for emergency management directors in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,020 | $45.20 |
| 25th percentile | $108,740 | $52.28 |
| Median | $130,780 | $62.87 |
| 75th percentile | $158,160 | $76.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $184,740 | $88.82 |
| Average (mean) | $136,430 | $65.59 |
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 | $10,898.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,449.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,030 |
| Weekly | $2,515 |
| Hourly | $62.87 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $155,320 | 90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $119,870 | 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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $164,160 | $78.92 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $145,290 | $69.85 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $166,590 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $189,680 | $91.19 |
| Construction Manager | $155,070 | $74.55 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $103,000 | $49.52 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $119,320 | $57.37 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $182,480 | $87.73 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $127,630 | $61.36 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $70,470 | $33.88 |
| Food Service Manager | $95,190 | $45.77 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $93,590 | $45.00 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $96,790 | $46.53 |
| Lodging Manager | $101,350 | $48.72 |
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 Washington?
The median salary for emergency management directors in Washington is $130,780 a year, or $62.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $184,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid emergency management directors make in Washington?
The top 10% of emergency management directors in Washington earn at least $184,740 a year. The top 25% earn $158,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for emergency management directors in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,020 a year, and a quarter of emergency management directors earn $108,740 or less.
How many emergency management directors work in Washington?
About 180 emergency management directors are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.