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Emergency Management Directors Salary in Arkansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Emergency Management Directors salary really buy you in Arkansas?

Arkansas is 13.4% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$50,180
Median annual (2025)
+15.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$57,944
COL-adjusted (RPP=86.6)

Arkansas Cost of Living Index

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 86.6, meaning prices are 13.4% lower the national average. A Emergency Management Directors earning $50,180 in Arkansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $57,944 in an average-cost US state.

AR: 86.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $35,280 $40,739 +$5,459
25th Percentile (P25) $40,100 $46,304 +$6,204
Median (P50) $50,180 $57,944 +$7,764
75th Percentile (P75) $65,890 $76,085 +$10,195
90th Percentile (P90) $82,240 $94,965 +$12,725
Key Insight

A Emergency Management Directors in Arkansas earns $50,180 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 15% further — like earning $57,944 in an average-cost state. This makes Arkansas one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Arkansas Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 86.6

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 86.6 means a basket of goods and services costs about 13.4% less than the national average. For a Emergency Management Directors, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+15.5%

Adjusting $50,180 for Arkansas's cost of living yields $57,945 — a 15.5% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#46 / 47

Arkansas ranks #46 of 47 — bottom quartile for Emergency Management Directors real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Emergency Management Directors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Emergency Management Directors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$159,945
RPP 91.0
$158,104
RPP 116.6
$126,744
RPP 102.3
$119,107
RPP 109.8
$115,475
RPP 112.5
$112,659
RPP 109.4
$111,204
RPP 108.8
8. Nevada
$109,512
RPP 96.4
$109,396
RPP 97.7
10. Idaho
$108,627
RPP 91.8

Arkansas ranks #46 out of 47 states for Emergency Management Directors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Emergency Management Directors take-home pay in Arkansas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Emergency Management Directors in Arkansas after cost of living?

A Emergency Management Directors in Arkansas earns a median salary of $50,180 per year. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (RPP=86.6), the real purchasing power is $57,944 — a +15.5% difference.

Is Arkansas expensive to live in?

Arkansas's cost of living is 13.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Arkansas is 86.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Emergency Management Directors in Arkansas: $50,180 x (100 / 86.6) = $57,944. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Emergency Management Directors in Arkansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Emergency Management Directors in Arkansas enjoys 15.5% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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