Emergency Management Directors vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $15,010 more per year than Emergency Management Directors professionals — that's 17.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Emergency Management Directors earns $160,420 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$51,260$160,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Emergency Management Directors | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,260 | $70,000 | $-18,740 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,470 | $81,910 | $-17,440 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 | $101,140 | $-15,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,690 | $127,480 | $-7,790 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,420 | $157,140 | +$3,280 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,700 | $107,900 | $-10,200 |
Employment Numbers
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
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 Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Emergency Management Directors or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,010 (17.4% 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 Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Emergency Management Directors and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers to Emergency Management Directors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Emergency Management Directors has a median salary of $86,130 while Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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