Computer Programmers vs Emergency Management Directors: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Programmers professionals earn $12,540 more per year than Emergency Management Directors professionals — that's 14.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Computer Programmers earns $162,090 compared to $160,420 for Emergency Management Directors.
Salary Range Comparison
Computer Programmers$52,190 – $162,090
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
$51,260$162,090
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Computer Programmers | Emergency Management Directors | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,190 | $51,260 | +$930 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,860 | $64,470 | +$7,390 |
| Median (50th) | $98,670 | $86,130 | +$12,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,960 | $119,690 | +$9,270 |
| 90th Percentile | $162,090 | $160,420 | +$1,670 |
| Mean (Average) | $103,640 | $97,700 | +$5,940 |
Employment Numbers
Computer Programmers
109,870
employed nationwide
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Computer Programmers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $167,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $159,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,560 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $122,580 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $122,000 |
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 Programmers or Emergency Management Directors?
Computer Programmers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,540 (14.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Computer Programmers?
Computer Programmers salaries range from $52,190 (10th percentile) to $162,090 (90th percentile), with a median of $98,670.
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 Programmers and Emergency Management Directors jobs are there?
There are approximately 109,870 Computer Programmers positions and 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Emergency Management Directors to Computer Programmers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Computer Programmers has a median salary of $98,670 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