Funeral Service Manager
Median wage · national
$78,790
Range: $62K – $104K
Employed
14K
Openings/yr
3K
Typically: associate's degree
TRADES
Morticians & Undertakers
Morticians & Undertakers earn $55,010 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $42,430 and $72,010. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Morticians & Undertakers
Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners.
- Median Wage
- $55,010
- Employed Nationally
- 25K
- Openings / Year
- 3,200
- Entry Education
- Associate's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Arranger
Cemetery Manager
Certified Mortician
Embalmer
Funeral Arrangement Director
How Much Do Morticians & Undertakers Make?
Morticians & Undertakers earn $55,010 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,430 and $72,010. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$55,010
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$42K–$72K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$42,430
Entry-level
$55,010
Median
$72,010
Experienced
What Do Morticians & Undertakers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Morticians & Undertakers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
- Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
- Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Remove deceased remains from place of death.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Social Perceptiveness
Active Listening
Service Orientation
Speaking
Coordination
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
E
Enterprising
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Morticians & Undertakers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Morticians & Undertakers?
The BLS projects +3.1% employment change for Morticians & Undertakers through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 3,200 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +3.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
3,200
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
25K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Morticians & Undertakers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $55,010 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 2,670 | $47,170 | -14.3% |
| 2 | Ohio | 1,530 | $49,360 | -10.3% |
| 3 | Texas | 1,530 | $36,760 | -33.2% |
| 4 | New York | 1,390 | $62,590 | +13.8% |
| 5 | Florida | 1,160 | $58,960 | +7.2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Morticians & Undertakers positions require a associate's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Associate's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Funeral Service and Mortuary Science | 2,451 | $60,056 | 77 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Morticians & Undertakers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Dade College Miami, FL | 84 | $5,463 | $40,654 |
| 2 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN | 83 | $16,778 | $69,020 |
| 3 | St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL | 81 | $1,471 | $42,557 |
| 4 | North Central State College Mansfield, OH | 81 | $4,687 | $38,158 |
| 5 | FINE Mortuary College Norwood, MA | 80 | $27,385 | — |
| 6 | Antilles School of Technical Careers San Juan, PR | 80 | $3,912 | $21,766 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Morticians & Undertakers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Morticians & Undertakers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Morticians & Undertakers Pros & Cons
The data on Morticians & Undertakers shows 2 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $55,010 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a associate's degree, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Earnings and demand vary significantly by region National figures for Morticians & Undertakers mask real geographic variation. High-demand metros can pay 20% or more above the national median while lower-cost or rural markets often fall well short. Where you work matters nearly as much as your credentials.
Morticians & Undertakers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Morticians & Undertakers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Morticians & Undertakers is $55,010, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,430 and $72,010. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Morticians & Undertakers a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $55,010 median, with +3.1% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Morticians & Undertakers?
Most Morticians & Undertakers positions require a associate's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Funeral Service and Mortuary Science are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Morticians & Undertakers?
The BLS projects +3.1% employment change for Morticians & Undertakers through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 3,200 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 25K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Morticians & Undertakers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Morticians & Undertakers roles: Social Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Service Orientation, Speaking, and Coordination. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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- Job outlook
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