Emergency Management Degree Programs in Hawaii (2026)
Quick answer: Hawaii employs about 90 emergency management directors (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through IAEM and the agencies you are targeting. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Licensing and Credentials in Hawaii
Emergency management is not licensed. The recognized credential is certification, principally the Certified Emergency Manager from IAEM, and the federal training framework runs through FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. Most positions sit with state, county and municipal agencies, whose own hiring standards vary.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with IAEM and the agencies you are targeting that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Emergency Management Directors Earn in Hawaii
Emergency Management Directors in Hawaii earn a median $74,290 per year, below the national median of $93,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Emergency Management Pay and Employment in Hawaii at a Glance
| Metric | Hawaii | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $74,290 | $93,330 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $61,620 | $54,210 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $66,720 | $67,910 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $113,940 | $126,490 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $142,820 | $166,430 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 90 | 13,500 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.71 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 3.0% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Hawaii Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Hawaii median of $74,290 sits below the national median of $93,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.71 puts Hawaii well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Hawaii
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $71,000 | 60 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Emergency management is a small, largely public-sector field, so openings follow agency budgets and hazard profile rather than the private labor market.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency management directors make in Hawaii?
The median annual wage for emergency management directors in Hawaii is $74,290, below the national median of $93,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $66,720 at the 25th percentile to $113,940 at the 75th.
How many emergency management directors work in Hawaii?
Hawaii holds about 90 emergency management director jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 13,500, and BLS projects about 1,000 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a emergency management director in Hawaii?
Emergency management is not licensed. The recognized credential is certification, principally the Certified Emergency Manager from IAEM, and the federal training framework runs through FEMA's Emergency Management Institute. Most positions sit with state, county and municipal agencies, whose own hiring standards vary. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with IAEM and the agencies you are targeting before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a bachelor's in emergency management or public administration online while working in Hawaii?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies IAEM and the agencies you are targeting.
What is the highest-paying area of Hawaii for emergency management directors?
Among Hawaii metro areas with published data, Urban Honolulu reports the highest median at $71,000 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Hawaii a good state for emergency management directors?
On pay, the state median of $74,290 sits below the national $93,330 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.71 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Emergency Management programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Firefighter career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Emergency Management Directors (SOC 11-9161), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.