Computer Hardware Engineers vs Emergency Management Directors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn $68,890 more per year than Emergency Management Directors professionals — that's 80.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Hardware Engineers earns $223,820 compared to $160,420 for Emergency Management Directors.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Hardware Engineers$85,430 – $223,820
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
$51,260$223,820
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Hardware Engineers | Emergency Management Directors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $85,430 | $51,260 | +$34,170 |
| 25th Percentile | $115,500 | $64,470 | +$51,030 |
| Median (50th) | $155,020 | $86,130 | +$68,890 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,380 | $119,690 | +$65,690 |
| 90th Percentile | $223,820 | $160,420 | +$63,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $156,770 | $97,700 | +$59,070 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Hardware Engineers
75,710
employed nationwide
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Hardware Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $197,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $174,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $172,920 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $170,570 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $169,230 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Computer Hardware Engineers or Emergency Management Directors?
Computer Hardware Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $68,890 (80.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Hardware Engineers?
Computer Hardware Engineers salaries range from $85,430 (10th percentile) to $223,820 (90th percentile), with a median of $155,020.
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.
How many Computer Hardware Engineers and Emergency Management Directors jobs are there?
There are approximately 75,710 Computer Hardware Engineers positions and 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Emergency Management Directors to Computer Hardware Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Hardware Engineers has a median salary of $155,020 while Emergency Management Directors earns $86,130. 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