Emergency management directors
SOC Code: 11-9161
Emergency management directors carries a 39% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $86,130 and +3.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 13,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Emergency management directors (SOC 11-9161) carries an AI exposure score of 39%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 13,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.0% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $86,130, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Emergency management directors. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Consult with officials of local and area governments, schools, hospitals, and other institutions to determine their needs and capabilities in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency.
- 2. Develop and maintain liaisons with municipalities, county departments, and similar entities to facilitate plan development, response effort coordination, and exchanges of personnel and equipment.
- 3. Coordinate disaster response or crisis management activities, such as ordering evacuations, opening public shelters, and implementing special needs plans and programs.
- 4. Prepare emergency situation status reports that describe response and recovery efforts, needs, and preliminary damage assessments.
- 5. Maintain and update all resource materials associated with emergency preparedness plans.
- 6. Prepare plans that outline operating procedures to be used in response to disasters or emergencies, such as hurricanes, nuclear accidents, and terrorist attacks, and in recovery from these events.
- 7. Develop and perform tests and evaluations of emergency management plans in accordance with state and federal regulations.
- 8. Collaborate with other officials to prepare and analyze damage assessments following disasters or emergencies.
- 9. Design and administer emergency or disaster preparedness training courses that teach people how to effectively respond to major emergencies and disasters.
- 10. Keep informed of activities or changes that could affect the likelihood of an emergency, response efforts, or plan implementation.
Key Skills Required
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordination
Knowledge Areas
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Law and Government
- Communications and Media
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Telecommunications
- Education and Training
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Emergency management directors?
Emergency management directors has an AI exposure score of 39%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Emergency management directors?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Emergency management directors is projected to grow by 3.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 13,200 workers.
What skills are needed for Emergency management directors?
Key skills for Emergency management directors include Service Orientation, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Emergency management directors earn?
The median annual wage for Emergency management directors is $86,130, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Emergency management directors?
The typical entry-level education for Emergency management directors is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect 5 years or more of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Emergency management directors?
Emergency management directors roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).