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The average salary for an Emergency Preparedness Specialist is approximately $60,996 annually, translating to about $29 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific industry. For instance, specialists in high-demand areas may command higher wages due to the increased need for skilled professionals.
In addition, those with advanced certifications or specialized training often see an increase in their salary potential. States like California, Texas, and New York are known for offering some of the highest salaries for this profession, reflecting regional demands and cost of living adjustments.
As the focus on disaster preparedness continues to grow, the job market for Emergency Preparedness Specialists is expected to expand. Opportunities are available in government agencies, healthcare facilities, and private corporations, making this a versatile career path. With the right skills and qualifications, individuals can position themselves for rewarding roles in this essential field.
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The average emergency preparedness specialist salary in Alaska, New Jersey, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average emergency preparedness specialist salary states are Florida, Texas, and South Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $87,259 | $41.95 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $78,955 | $37.96 |
| 3 | Vermont | $76,804 | $36.92 |
| 4 | West Virginia | $72,747 | $34.97 |
| 5 | New York | $82,521 | $39.67 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $84,883 | $40.81 |
| 7 | Nevada | $70,822 | $34.05 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $73,859 | $35.51 |
| 9 | Maine | $69,151 | $33.25 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $80,396 | $38.65 |
| 11 | Delaware | $68,402 | $32.89 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $82,159 | $39.50 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $80,050 | $38.49 |
| 14 | New Mexico | $59,984 | $28.84 |
| 15 | Maryland | $74,027 | $35.59 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| 17 | Michigan | $69,008 | $33.18 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $77,361 | $37.19 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $65,695 | $31.58 |
| 20 | North Dakota | $58,322 | $28.04 |
| 21 | Arizona | $58,421 | $28.09 |
| 22 | Iowa | $55,449 | $26.66 |
| 23 | Oregon | $62,494 | $30.05 |
| 24 | Virginia | $66,881 | $32.15 |
| 25 | Louisiana | $56,418 | $27.12 |
| 26 | Montana | $57,781 | $27.78 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $56,371 | $27.10 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $58,588 | $28.17 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $54,862 | $26.38 |
| 30 | Minnesota | $61,122 | $29.39 |
| 31 | Ohio | $56,362 | $27.10 |
| 32 | Illinois | $60,391 | $29.03 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $55,171 | $26.52 |
| 34 | Washington | $55,704 | $26.78 |
| 35 | Georgia | $52,886 | $25.43 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $52,502 | $25.24 |
| 37 | Indiana | $52,422 | $25.20 |
| 38 | Alabama | $53,793 | $25.86 |
| 39 | California | $58,369 | $28.06 |
| 40 | Kansas | $51,658 | $24.84 |
| 41 | Florida | $49,571 | $23.83 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $51,982 | $24.99 |
| 43 | Texas | $49,337 | $23.72 |
| 44 | Utah | $53,284 | $25.62 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $53,277 | $25.61 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $45,655 | $21.95 |
| 47 | Idaho | $52,320 | $25.15 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $44,073 | $21.19 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $47,464 | $22.82 |
| 50 | Colorado | $51,041 | $24.54 |
| 51 | Missouri | $44,877 | $21.58 |
The highest-paying cities for emergency preparedness specialists are Albany, NY, New Bedford, MA, and Philadelphia, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany, NY | $82,123 | $39.48 |
| 2 | New Bedford, MA | $80,834 | $38.86 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $74,356 | $35.75 |
| 4 | McLean, VA | $69,693 | $33.51 |
| 5 | Salem, OR | $62,460 | $30.03 |
| 6 | San Rafael, CA | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| 7 | Joliet, IL | $59,721 | $28.71 |
| 8 | Cheyenne, WY | $57,869 | $27.82 |
| 9 | Findlay, OH | $56,701 | $27.26 |
| 10 | Lakewood, WA | $56,295 | $27.06 |
| 11 | Bismarck, ND | $56,152 | $27.00 |
| 12 | Little Rock, AR | $52,412 | $25.20 |
| 13 | Denver, CO | $50,903 | $24.47 |
| 14 | San Antonio, TX | $50,232 | $24.15 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $45,905 | $22.07 |
| 16 | Grand Island, NE | $43,472 | $20.90 |
An emergency preparedness specialist's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $121,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $121,000 | $10,083 | $58 |
| 75th Percentile | $87,000 | $7,250 | $42 |
| Average | $60,996 | $5,083 | $29 |
| 25th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
The highest paying types of emergency preparedness specialists are emergency management director, director of civil defense, and co-owner & director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Coordinator | $61,574 | $5,131 | $29.60 | 92,723 |
| Emergency Management Director | $161,104 | $13,425 | $77.45 | 88,282 |
| Emergency Planner | $61,090 | $5,091 | $29.37 | 36,135 |
| Emergency Preparedness Coordinator | $62,028 | $5,169 | $29.82 | 30,022 |
Top companies hiring emergency preparedness specialists now:
Emergency preparedness specialist salaries at SSM Health and Marathon Petroleum are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average emergency preparedness specialist salary at companies like Los Alamos National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SSM Health | $150,135 | $72.18 |
| 2 | Marathon Petroleum | $121,373 | $58.35 |
| 3 | Los Alamos National Laboratory | $96,094 | $46.20 |
| 4 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | $94,117 | $45.25 |
| 5 | Dean Health Plan | $93,464 | $44.93 |
| 6 | Exelon | $93,148 | $44.78 |
| 7 | IPRO | $89,997 | $43.27 |
| 8 | Jackson | $78,639 | $37.81 |
| 9 | Carnegie Mellon University | $77,879 | $37.44 |
| 10 | Leidos | $73,634 | $35.40 |
| 11 | Eisenhower Medical Center | $68,235 | $32.81 |
| 12 | Washington State University | $65,197 | $31.34 |
| 13 | Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council | $61,614 | $29.62 |
| 14 | Colorado State Express | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| 15 | State of North Dakota | $61,168 | $29.41 |
| 16 | Texas | $57,706 | $27.74 |
| 17 | AAA Systems | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| 18 | AAA Northeast | $55,817 | $26.84 |
| 19 | County of Yolo | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| 20 | Pinkerton Government Services Inc | $49,877 | $23.98 |
The average emergency preparedness specialist salary has risen by $15,183 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average emergency preparedness specialist earned $45,813 annually, but today, they earn $60,996 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for emergency preparedness specialists over the last decade.
Compare emergency preparedness specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare emergency preparedness specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $61,000 | $29.33 | +2.2% |
| 2025 | $59,700 | $28.69 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | $59,500 | $28.62 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $58,200 | $27.98 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $56,400 | $27.11 | +4.5% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada National Security Sites | Principal Emergency Response Specialist | Las Vegas, NV | 06/27/2025 | $99,791 |
| Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations, Inc. | Emergency Response Specialist | San Mateo, CA | 06/26/2025 | $93,915 |
| Independent Living | Peer Emergency Response Specialist | Cornwall, NY | 06/25/2025 | $48,940 |
| Think Together | Emerging Areas Specialist II | Santa Ana, CA | 06/15/2025 | $83,000 |
| Constellation | Crane Offsite Specialist Emergency Preparedness | Kennett Square, PA | 06/14/2025 | $107,100 |
| Constellation Energy Corp | Crane Offsite Specialist Emergency Preparedness | Kennett Square, PA | 06/14/2025 | $107,100 |
| Penumbra Inc. | Emergency Response Specialist | Roseville, CA | 06/12/2025 | $74,070 |
| Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations, Inc. | Emergency Response Specialist Supervisor | San Mateo, CA | 05/20/2025 | $102,263 |
| Eliot's | SS Milieu Specialist I-Emergency Residence | Lynn, MA | 05/19/2025 | $40,697 |
| Paul Davis Restoration of Se W | Emergency Response Specialist | Waukegan, IL | 04/15/2025 | $60,000 |
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