Emergency Management Directors vs Firefighters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn $26,600 more per year than Firefighters professionals — that's 44.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Emergency Management Directors earns $160,420 compared to $101,330 for Firefighters.
Salary Range Comparison
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
Firefighters$34,490 – $101,330
$34,490$160,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Emergency Management Directors | Firefighters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,260 | $34,490 | +$16,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,470 | $44,180 | +$20,290 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 | $59,530 | +$26,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,690 | $77,410 | +$42,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,420 | $101,330 | +$59,090 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,700 | $63,890 | +$33,810 |
Employment Numbers
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Firefighters
332,240
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Firefighters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $164,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $121,270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $108,320 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,250 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Emergency Management Directors or Firefighters?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,600 (44.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Firefighters?
Firefighters salaries range from $34,490 (10th percentile) to $101,330 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,530.
How many Emergency Management Directors and Firefighters jobs are there?
There are approximately 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions and 332,240 Firefighters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Firefighters to Emergency Management Directors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Emergency Management Directors has a median salary of $86,130 while Firefighters earns $59,530. 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