Emergency Services Program Director Salary in the United States

How much does an Emergency Services Program Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Emergency Services Program Director in the United States is $152,494 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $73.

However, an Emergency Services Program Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $186,672
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $135,664 to $170,384
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $120,341

Key Factors That Influence Emergency Services Program Director Salaries

An Emergency Services Program Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Emergency Services Program Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Emergency Services Program Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $140,751
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $142,277
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $144,311
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $146,855
  • Expert (over 8 years): $149,398
Levels Salary
Entry Level Emergency Services Program Director$140,751
Intermediate Level Emergency Services Program Director$142,277
Senior Level Emergency Services Program Director$144,311
Specialist Level Emergency Services Program Director$146,855
Expert Level Emergency Services Program Director$149,398

How Do Emergency Services Program Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Emergency Services Program Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $168,841.
  • California: $168,201.
  • Massachusetts: $165,959.

Top Paying Cities for Emergency Services Program Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $192,341
  • San Francisco: $190,235
  • Oakland: $186,226

What Skills Can Increase an Emergency Services Program Director's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 10.4% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.98% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Illustration (Mentioned in 1.49% Job Postings): Using creative artwork to explain or depict a particular meaning to come across the viewer's mind.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 10.4%
Microsoft Office 1.98%
Illustration 1.49%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Emergency Services Program Director's salary.

  • Influencing: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Organizational Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Influencing $172,318
13%
Organizational Communications $166,218
9%
Innovation $164,694
8%

Emergency Services Program Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Emergency Services Program Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Emergency Services Program Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Emergency Services Program Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Emergency Services Program Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$182,993$88.020%

How Education impacts an Emergency Services Program Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Emergency Services Program Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Emergency Services Program Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $155,926 and $166,837).

Emergency Services Program Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Emergency Services Program Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.7%
High School 6.0%
Associates 11.2%
Bachelors 32.1%
Masters 43.3%
Doctorate 6.7%

Emergency Services Program Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Emergency Services Program Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$135,664
Average $152,494/year
$170,384
$11,305
Average $12,708/month
$14,199
$2,609
Average $2,933/week
$3,277
$65
Average $73/hour
$82
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $170,384 $14,199 $3,277 $82
Average $152,494 $12,708 $2,933 $73
25th Percentile $135,664 $11,305 $2,609 $65

Most common benefits for Emergency Services Program Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Emergency Services Program Director

Here are companies hiring for Emergency Services Program Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Emergency Services Program Director

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Emergency Services Program Director?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Emergency Services Program Director roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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