Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers salary in California
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers in California earn a median of $50,750 a year ($24.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,240 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,850 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $55,010. California ranks 26th of 48 states for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers pay. There are 0.12 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $56,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,030 | $17.80 |
| 25th percentile | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| Median | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| 75th percentile | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,850 | $37.43 |
| Average (mean) | $56,130 | $26.99 |
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 | $4,229.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,114.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,951.92 |
| Weekly | $975.96 |
| Hourly | $24.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $70,830 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $63,160 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $60,310 | 250 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $52,660 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $50,700 | 120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $50,490 | 860 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $49,070 | 210 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,830 | 210 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,650 | 40 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,540 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $48,010 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $81,530 |
| Utah | $72,800 |
| Illinois | $69,600 |
| New Jersey | $69,110 |
| Nebraska | $64,310 |
| Iowa | $63,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,580 |
| New York | $63,090 |
| Massachusetts | $62,120 |
| Indiana | $60,890 |
See Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Attendant | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Embalmer | $60,060 | $28.87 |
| Crematory Operator | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in California is $50,750 a year, or $24.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers make in California?
The top 10% of morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in California earn at least $77,850 a year. The top 25% earn $61,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,030 a year, and a quarter of morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers earn $44,320 or less.
How many morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers work in California?
About 2,240 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.