Emergency Management Directors vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $14,620 more per year than Emergency Management Directors professionals — that's 17.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Emergency Management Directors earns $160,420 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$51,260$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Emergency Management Directors | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,260 | $59,830 | $-8,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,470 | $76,950 | $-12,480 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 | $100,750 | $-14,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,690 | $131,660 | $-11,970 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,420 | $165,790 | $-5,370 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,700 | $108,100 | $-10,400 |
Employment Numbers
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Emergency Management Directors or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,620 (17.0% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Emergency Management Directors and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Emergency Management Directors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Emergency Management Directors has a median salary of $86,130 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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