Emergency Management Directors vs. General and Operations Managers: Who Earns More?
General and Operations Managers out-earn Emergency Management Directors by $12K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Emergency Management Directors land at $93,330 and General and Operations Managers at $105,770. The education gap is real: emergency management director programs typically require bachelor's degree, while general and operations manager programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Emergency Management Directors is District of Columbia ($184,350); for General and Operations Managers it's New Jersey ($173,690).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Emergency Management Directors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Emergency Management Directors or General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers earn more nationally. The median is $93,330 for Emergency Management Directors versus $105,770 for General and Operations Managers, a difference of $12K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Emergency Management Directors or General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers has the better 10-year outlook at 4.4% projected growth, compared to 3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Emergency Management Directors or General and Operations Managers?
Emergency Management Directors typically requires bachelor's degree. General and Operations Managers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Emergency Management Directors get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Emergency Management Directors at $184,350/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Emergency Management Directors vs. General and Operations Managers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Emergency Management Directors earn $184,350 vs. $168,000 for General and Operations Managers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.