Driven by both national security concerns and the threat of ongoing natural disasters, emergency management has been a considerable source of employment for those with all levels of education. Generally, those candidates with a two-year degree in emergency management are properly qualified for entry-level positions, particularly those that deal directly with the victims of a storm or a national security breach. These on-the-ground professionals typically find rewarding positions within the government, but a considerable number have also been met with success within the private sector. Here’s a look at what both groups of emergency management specialists can expect to earn as they begin an exciting new career in the industry.
Modest Starting Wages Await New Government Employees
Though there is plenty of demand for emergency management professionals both in the public and private sectors, the most significant source of demand does come from federal, state, and local government agencies. Workers who apply for one of these positions with an associate’s degree will typically tend to earn a starting wage of about $28,900 per year. Though that wage might sound rather meager at first, it’s worth mentioning that many government agencies will partially or fully fund a worker’s educational expenses as they pursue more advanced degrees in their area of expertise. Eventually, those sponsored degrees will qualify the worker for advancement and far higher wages, including the high-end $90,000 per year wage that awaits candidates who have earned a master’s degree.
Private Sector Employment May Be Harder to Find with an Associate’s Degree
For the past two decades or so, private sector corporations have been raising their academic requirements for candidates who apply for entry-level positions. In many cases, that means that utility companies, R&D operations, and other employers of emergency managers will typically want to see at least an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management in order to proceed to the interview phase and welcome a candidate to the organization. Some companies, however, do require just an associate’s for entry-level work.
Employees who pursue these occupations with an associate’s degree will generally be paid between $29,000 and $34,000 per year for their services. With further educational pursuits, including a bachelor’s degree or an eventual graduate-level degree in the field, salaries can more than double for those applicants who pursue advancement within the company or with competing employers.
State Matters: A Look at the Highest-Paying Emergency Management States
In terms of raw compensation, The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that California leads the pack in a state-by-state assessment of compensation for emergency managers in both the public and private sectors. Massachusetts is second in this area, followed by Virginia, Maryland, and Oregon. It’s probably worth noting that Virginia and Maryland are home to virtually all of the federal government’s high-ranking FEMA officials and emergency management specialists, many of whom take home the biggest paychecks in the entire industry.
A Strong Foundation for the Entry-Level Emergency Manager
Though the salaries available to emergency managers with a two-year degree aren’t necessarily the highest, they’re the best way to gain experience in the field and determine whether or not further educational pursuits in this area would be worthwhile. With many government agencies and private sector employers offering tuition reimbursement programs to existing employees, it may even be well within reach to pursue more advanced degrees that can bolster upward mobility, increase earnings, and cultivate more opportunities in the future. If you’re looking for higher earning potential along with flexible study options, you may want to consider an online emergency management degree.