Civil Engineers vs Emergency Management Directors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $13,460 more per year than Emergency Management Directors professionals — that's 15.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $160,420 for Emergency Management Directors.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
$51,260$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Emergency Management Directors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $51,260 | +$14,660 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $64,470 | +$14,320 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $86,130 | +$13,460 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $119,690 | +$8,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $160,420 | +$570 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $97,700 | +$9,350 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Best Cities for Emergency Management Directors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $153,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $139,630 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $138,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,860 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Civil Engineers or Emergency Management Directors?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,460 (15.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
What is the salary range for Emergency Management Directors?
Emergency Management Directors salaries range from $51,260 (10th percentile) to $160,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $86,130.
How many Civil Engineers and Emergency Management Directors jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers positions and 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Emergency Management Directors to Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 while Emergency Management Directors earns $86,130. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS