Death is the only certain thing in life, yet we rarely talk about the people who handle the aftermath. You’ve probably wondered, perhaps while watching a crime drama or passing a local funeral home, just how much does a mortician make? It’s a career cloaked in mystery, often perceived as either a macabre calling or a gold mine because "people are always dying."
The reality? It’s a middle-class grind.
Honestly, if you’re looking to get rich quick, the "death care" industry might leave you disappointed. But if you want a recession-proof job with deep community roots, the numbers tell a more nuanced story.
The Baseline Numbers: National Averages in 2026
Right now, the median annual wage for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in the United States sits around $52,000 to $58,000. If you look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from the tail end of 2024 and 2025, that needle hasn't moved as much as inflation might suggest.
Some folks at the very top—think managers of high-volume funeral homes or owners of multiple locations—can pull in over $132,000. On the flip side, if you’re just starting out or working in a small rural town, you might see figures closer to $33,000.
It’s a wide gap.
Why? Because a "mortician" isn't just one job. It’s a mix of event planning, chemistry, restorative art, and high-stakes sales.
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A Quick Breakdown of the Roles
- Funeral Home Managers: These are the big earners. They handle the business side. Average: $76,830.
- Embalmers: The specialists. They focus on the technical preparation. Average: $56,700.
- Funeral Attendants: Often part-time or entry-level. They help with the cars and the heavy lifting. Average: Low $30,000s.
Why Geography Is the Real Boss
You could be the best embalmer in the world, but if you’re working in a state with a low cost of living, your paycheck will reflect that. It’s just how it is.
Take Connecticut. For years, it has been one of the highest-paying states for this profession. In some parts of CT, an established funeral director can earn over $110,000. Compare that to somewhere like Arkansas or Mississippi, where the average might dip below $45,000.
Top-Paying States Right Now:
- Washington: Roughly $74,623 average.
- New York: Pushes $72,000, though NYC metros skew this much higher.
- Minnesota: A surprising heavy hitter at $83,000+ in certain metro areas like Minneapolis.
- Massachusetts: Consistently stays in the $71,000 - $80,000 range.
In cities like San Jose or San Francisco, you might see "expert level" salaries hitting $50,000 to $60,000 for standard morticians, but remember—you’re paying California rent. Your "take-home" feels a lot smaller when a one-bedroom apartment costs three grand a month.
The "Apprentice" Reality Check
Before you get the big check, you have to do the time. Every state (except maybe Colorado, which has unique voluntary frameworks) requires a period of apprenticeship.
How much does a mortician make during this phase? Not much.
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Apprentices often earn between $16 and $20 an hour. Nationwide, the average for a funeral service apprentice is roughly $40,333. It’s basically "paying your dues" while you learn how to handle grieving families and the technicalities of the prep room. It’s messy, it’s emotional, and the pay is just okay.
But once you get that dual license—meaning you can both direct funerals and embalm—your value jumps. That "dual-licensed" status can add an extra $3,000 to $8,000 to your annual salary immediately.
Hidden Ways Morticians Boost Their Income
If you’re just looking at the base salary, you’re missing the "side quests" of the funeral industry. Most people don’t realize that morticians often have multiple streams of income within their workplace.
Pre-Need Commissions
This is a big one. When a family comes in to plan a funeral years in advance, that’s called "pre-need." Morticians who are licensed to sell funeral insurance or trust-funded plans often get a commission. We’re talking 5% to 15% of the total package. On a $10,000 funeral, that’s a nice bonus.
On-Call Stipends
Death doesn't happen 9-to-5. If you're "on-call" to pick up a body at 3:00 AM, you usually get a stipend. In urban markets, this might be $25 to $75 per night, plus extra for the actual "removal" (picking up the deceased). Weekend blocks can sometimes net a worker an extra $250.
Trade Embalming
Some morticians don't work for one house. They are "trade" embalmers. They’re basically freelancers. In a busy city, a trade embalmer might charge $300 to $600 per case. If they’re fast and good, they can make way more than a salaried employee, though they have to pay for their own health insurance and supplies.
The Stress-to-Pay Ratio
We have to talk about the "Burnout Factor."
Being a mortician is heavy. You are dealing with people on the worst day of their lives. You’re working holidays. You’re missing your kid's birthday because a family needs you.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), many people leave the field within the first five years. The pay often doesn't feel like enough for the emotional toll. You’re a counselor, an artist, a lawyer, and a heavy-machine operator all at once.
If you love the work, the $55,000 salary is a baseline. If you hate the work, no amount of money will make the smell of formaldehyde or the sound of a grieving parent tolerable.
Education and the Cost of Entry
You can't just walk in and start. You need an Associate’s degree in Mortuary Science at a minimum. There are about 58 accredited programs in the US right now.
Tuition varies, but you’re looking at an investment of $15,000 to $30,000 for your education. When you start at $40,000 as an apprentice, that student loan payment can feel pretty heavy.
Does a Bachelor's Degree Help?
Not always. In this industry, experience and licenses matter more than a four-year degree. However, if you want to manage a massive corporate-owned home (like those owned by SCI), that Bachelor’s degree in Business might help you land the $100k+ management roles.
What the Future Looks Like
The industry is changing. Cremation rates are skyrocketing—now well over 60% in most states. This changes the math. Cremations are cheaper, which means less revenue per "call" for the funeral home.
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To stay relevant and keep salaries up, morticians are diversifying. They are becoming certified celebrants, grief aftercare coordinators, or even "green burial" specialists.
Skills that actually increase your pay:
- Bilingualism: Can add $2k to $5k in diverse metros.
- Restorative Art: If you can make a traumatic death look "natural" for an open casket, you are worth your weight in gold.
- Crematory Operation: Having your CANA or NFDA crematory certification makes you more employable.
Actionable Next Steps for Aspiring Morticians
If you’re looking at these numbers and thinking, "Yeah, I can make this work," here is how you actually move the needle on your future earnings:
- Check Your State Board: Licensing requirements are different in every state. Some require two years of school, some only one. Don't waste time on the wrong credits.
- Shadow a Professional: Call a local independent home. Ask to shadow for a day. It’s better to find out you can't handle the prep room now than after you’ve spent $20k on school.
- Focus on the "Dual License": Don't just be a funeral director. Don't just be an embalmer. Do both. It makes you indispensable and significantly raises your salary floor.
- Look at Corporate vs. Independent: Large corporations (like Service Corporation International) often offer better benefits and 401ks. Small family homes might offer more flexibility and a "stake" in the business eventually.
At the end of the day, a mortician makes a solid, middle-class living. It’s stable. It’s essential. It just requires a very specific kind of heart—and a stomach for the realities of life’s end.