Embalmer salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Embalmers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $54,850 a year ($26.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,440 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $58,780. Pay here is 9% lower than the California statewide median of $60,060. There are 0.03 embalmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for embalmers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| 25th percentile | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Median | $54,850 | $26.37 |
| 75th percentile | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Average (mean) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
Half of embalmers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,570.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,285.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,109.62 |
| Weekly | $1,054.81 |
| Hourly | $26.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,850 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Embalmer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $61,570 | 210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $60,890 | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $58,930 | 30 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $55,380 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for embalmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Ohio | $71,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,950 |
| North Carolina | $68,550 |
| Missouri | $66,490 |
| Virginia | $63,810 |
| Kansas | $63,160 |
| Indiana | $62,400 |
| South Carolina | $61,820 |
| Illinois | $61,730 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 |
See Embalmer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Funeral Attendant | $38,230 | $18.38 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,510 | $17.56 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $56,420 | $27.12 |
| Childcare Worker | $39,800 | $19.14 |
| Recreation Worker | $40,380 | $19.42 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $51,910 | $24.96 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,220 | $17.90 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,640 | $18.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,570 | $23.83 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-4011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a embalmer make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for embalmers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $54,850 a year, or $26.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid embalmers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of embalmers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $76,440 a year. The top 25% earn $60,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for embalmers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,830 a year, and a quarter of embalmers earn $48,410 or less.
How many embalmers work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 50 embalmers are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.