How much does a mortician make?
The median mortician in the United States earns $55,010 per year, about $26.45 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all morticians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 39-4031.
Mortician salary range
Pay for morticians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,350 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $88,620. The average (mean) wage of $58,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,350 | $16.03 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,430 | $20.40 | |
| Median (50th) | $55,010 | $26.45 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $72,010 | $34.62 | |
| 90th percentile | $88,620 | $42.61 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers (SOC 39-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Mortician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Morticians earn the most in Delaware at $81,530 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $36,120. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $81,530 | 80 |
| Utah | $72,800 | 240 |
| Illinois | $69,600 | 1,320 |
| New Jersey | $69,110 | 580 |
| Nebraska | $64,310 | 210 |
| Iowa | $63,700 | 640 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,580 | 910 |
| New York | $63,090 | 1,030 |
| Massachusetts | $62,120 | 430 |
| Indiana | $60,890 | 630 |
| Maine | $60,880 | 80 |
| Colorado | $60,850 | 320 |
| North Carolina | $60,730 | 1,000 |
| Michigan | $60,450 | 810 |
| Idaho | $60,250 | 160 |
| North Dakota | $59,760 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $59,710 | 300 |
| Washington | $59,700 | 400 |
| Kansas | $58,580 | 230 |
| Wisconsin | $58,250 | 580 |
| Maryland | $58,060 | 500 |
| Ohio | $57,800 | 1,370 |
| New Hampshire | $57,630 | 80 |
| Wyoming | $55,570 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $55,420 | 40 |
| California | $50,750 | 2,240 |
| New Mexico | $50,380 | 100 |
| Georgia | $49,990 | 780 |
| Minnesota | $49,760 | 500 |
| Vermont | $48,740 | 40 |
| Oregon | $48,630 | 220 |
| Florida | $48,510 | 1,510 |
| Mississippi | $48,350 | 320 |
| West Virginia | $47,960 | 180 |
| South Dakota | $47,840 | 200 |
| Oklahoma | $47,780 | 380 |
| Louisiana | $46,730 | 440 |
| Texas | $46,630 | 1,500 |
| Hawaii | $46,310 | 150 |
| Tennessee | $46,180 | 550 |
| Alabama | $44,930 | 420 |
| Nevada | $43,940 | 280 |
| Montana | $43,680 | 110 |
| Kentucky | $43,320 | 470 |
| Missouri | $42,940 | 790 |
| Arizona | $41,870 | 360 |
| South Carolina | $40,020 | 400 |
| Arkansas | $36,120 | 360 |
State median wages for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers (SOC 39-4031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for morticians
The BLS projects employment of morticians to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 26,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 27,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,000 openings a year for morticians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a mortician
The typical entry-level education for morticians is an associate's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete long-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a mortician earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Delaware, $81,530) and the lowest (Arkansas, $36,120) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 25,100 people work as morticians in the United States. At $55,010 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Mortician salary FAQ
How much does a mortician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a mortician is $26.45. The middle half of morticians earn between $20.40 and $34.62 per hour.
What is the highest mortician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of morticians earn more than $88,620 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a mortician make a year?
The median annual salary for a mortician is $55,010. The average (mean) wage of $58,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a mortician a well paid job?
At $55,010 a year, a mortician earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 25,100 people work as morticians in the United States.
Which state pays morticians the most?
Delaware has the highest median salary for morticians at $81,530 a year. Utah ($72,800) and Illinois ($69,600) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a mortician a good career?
Employment of morticians is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a mortician?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for morticians as an associate's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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