Emergency Management Directors vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $7,470 more per year than Emergency Management Directors professionals — that's 8.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Emergency Management Directors earns $160,420 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$51,260$160,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Emergency Management Directors | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,260 | $66,030 | $-14,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,470 | $78,610 | $-14,140 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 | $93,600 | $-7,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,690 | $107,960 | +$11,730 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,420 | $135,320 | +$25,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,700 | $98,430 | $-730 |
Employment Numbers
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Emergency Management Directors or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $7,470 (8.7% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Emergency Management Directors and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Emergency Management Directors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Emergency Management Directors has a median salary of $86,130 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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