Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers salary in the U.S.
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers in the U.S. earn a median of $55,010 a year ($26.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,620 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $58,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,350 | $16.03 |
| 25th percentile | $42,430 | $20.40 |
| Median | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| 75th percentile | $72,010 | $34.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,620 | $42.61 |
| Average (mean) | $58,160 | $27.96 |
Half of morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers 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 | $4,584.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,292.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,115.77 |
| Weekly | $1,057.88 |
| Hourly | $26.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $55,010 salary, see how much house you can afford at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Puerto Rico | $25,630 | 70 |
Best-paying metro areas for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $81,440 | 710 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $78,280 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $75,470 | 330 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $74,780 | 30 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $74,610 | 110 |
| Ogden, UT | $73,970 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $72,860 | 940 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $70,830 | 40 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $70,280 | 60 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $70,100 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $69,900 | 80 |
| Reading, PA | $66,470 | 30 |
| Lancaster, PA | $65,250 | 40 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $64,910 | 40 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $64,450 | 40 |
Metro areas with the most morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 940 | $72,860 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 860 | $50,490 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 710 | $81,440 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 400 | $49,190 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 370 | $48,140 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 340 | $55,660 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 340 | $49,280 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 330 | $75,470 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 310 | $47,990 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 290 | $62,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 270 | $62,540 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 250 | $60,310 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 240 | $57,520 |
| Cleveland, OH | 240 | $54,510 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 240 | $52,090 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Attendant | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| Embalmer | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Crematory Operator | $43,650 | $20.98 |
| Childcare Worker | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,590 | $23.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,560 | $23.34 |
| Residential Advisor | $42,240 | $20.31 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-4031. 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 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers make in the U.S.?
The median salary for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in the U.S. is $55,010 a year, or $26.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in the U.S. earn at least $88,620 a year. The top 25% earn $72,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,350 a year, and a quarter of morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers earn $42,430 or less.
How many morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers work in the U.S.?
About 25,100 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.