Emergency management professionals with a doctorate degree may make up to $100,000 a year. This is a safe assumption because doctorate degree holders have the highest level of education and the most experience. The average emergency manager, who we assume has ample experience and a master’s degree, makes around $65,000 dollars a year according to one source. Experience is also a contributing factor to salary levels. Around 28 percent of emergency managers have five to nine years of experience and 32 percent have 10 to 19 years of experience. Read on to learn about some of the key factors in how much you can earn.
Factor One – Employment Experience
Senior emergency management leaders will have significant field experience with national and international disasters and emergencies. They will have advanced knowledge of government procedures, responsibilities and response standards. Senior emergency management leaders will have experience overseeing emergency response operations in specific fields like energy, military, public safety and law enforcement. They will have superior communication skills and the ability to exchange information in clear and concise manners to diverse groups of people.
Senior emergency management leaders will have experience with state agencies, such as the State Police and Public Health Departments, and federal agencies, such as FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. This means they will know how to maintain compliance with regulations and implement mandatory exercise activities. They will know how to cooperatively maintain relationships with subordinates, members of the public and emergency response leaders. Senior emergency management leaders’ strong analytical skills will empower them to identify problems, secure relevant information, identify possible causes and develop viable solutions.
Factor Two – Education
A doctorate degree in emergency management program will prepare graduates to handle large-scale disasters, make life saving decisions, restore community functioning and protect property and the environment. These programs train students to make evidence-based decisions and consistently apply industry best practices across all types of organizations. Emergency management degrees for doctoral students offer an equal balance of theory, research and field application. The expert faculty will have extensive emergency management experience, so they offer real-world perspectives and solutions.
Resource: Top 10 Doctorate Degrees in Emergency Management Online 2016-2017
Most doctoral emergency management programs offer dissertation projects, online coursework, in-person training and comprehensive exams. The most important part of these programs is to implement and test various emergency management theories in order to generate real-world data that can be used for policy creation and program development. After graduation, students will be prepared to conduct valid research, evaluate policy impacts, examine cross-cultural historical trends and apply solutions to mitigate risk, hazards and vulnerabilities. Students will understand contemporary emergency management practices within both the private and public worlds.
Factor Three – Professional Certification
Professional certification makes a huge difference. Emergency management professionals with a doctorate degree will be expected to have standard certifications through recognized programs like the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). This organization offers certifications as Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) and Certified Emergency Manager (CEM). Emergency management professionals with a doctorate degree must have received training and certification through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute (EMI).
Occupational statistics from the BLS reveal that the average annual wage for emergency management directors is $74,000. The 75 percentile wage estimate for emergency management directors is $100,000 and the 90 percentile wage estimate is $127,000. If you are interested in an emergency management career, consider these factors in order to maximize your earning potential.