Emergency Management Directors Salary in California

Emergency management directors in California earn the most in San Jose (average $189,540 a year) and the least in Sacramento ($116,640), across the 6 California metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the emergency management directors average at $138,120 and the median at $129,910 for 1,170 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $102,420.

Emergency Management Directors average salary by city in California

San Jose$189,540
San Francisco$163,310
Los Angeles$141,660
Riverside$138,880
San Diego$130,730
Sacramento$116,640

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
San Jose	$189,540	$173,540	$144,610	$127,594	110
San Francisco	$163,310	$161,180	$123,540	$111,793	116
Los Angeles	$141,660	$130,020	$105,640	$99,008	114
Riverside	$138,880	$136,270	$112,210	$97,367	106
San Diego	$130,730	$117,070	$104,200	$92,554	112
Sacramento	$116,640	$107,430	$96,820	$84,131	107

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Emergency Management Directors salary in other states

Emergency Management Directors salary by city and state

More about pay in California

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 11-9161.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.