Emergency Management Directors vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $46,950 more per year than Emergency Management Directors professionals — that's 54.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Emergency Management Directors earns $160,420 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Emergency Management Directors$51,260 – $160,420
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$51,260$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Emergency Management Directors | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $51,260 | $79,850 | $-28,590 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,470 | $103,050 | $-38,580 |
| Median (50th) | $86,130 | $133,080 | $-46,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $119,690 | $169,000 | $-49,310 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,420 | $211,450 | $-51,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $97,700 | $144,570 | $-46,870 |
Employment Numbers
Emergency Management Directors
12,570
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Emergency Management Directors or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $46,950 (54.5% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Emergency Management Directors and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 12,570 Emergency Management Directors positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Emergency Management Directors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Emergency Management Directors has a median salary of $86,130 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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