Emergency Management Directors vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn $13,220 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 18.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Emergency Management Directors earns $160,420 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$160,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Emergency Management Directors | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,260 | $45,440 | +$5,820 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,470 | $55,870 | +$8,600 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 | $72,910 | +$13,220 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,690 | $97,270 | +$22,420 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,420 | $126,540 | +$33,880 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,700 | $79,730 | +$17,970 |
Employment Numbers
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Emergency Management Directors or Human Resources Specialists?
Emergency Management Directors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $13,220 (18.1% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Emergency Management Directors and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists to Emergency Management Directors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Emergency Management Directors has a median salary of $86,130 while Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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