Embalmer salary in the U.S.
Embalmers in the U.S. earn a median of $58,780 a year ($28.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,890 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,570 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $58,390, close to the median.
Pay range for embalmers in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Median | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| 75th percentile | $66,130 | $31.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| Average (mean) | $58,390 | $28.07 |
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 | $4,898.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,449.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,260.77 |
| Weekly | $1,130.38 |
| Hourly | $28.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Embalmer salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $71,550 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,950 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $68,550 | 70 |
| Missouri | $66,490 | 160 |
| Virginia | $63,810 | 120 |
| Kansas | $63,160 | 120 |
| Indiana | $62,400 | n/a |
| South Carolina | $61,820 | 140 |
| Illinois | $61,730 | 60 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 | 40 |
| Florida | $60,170 | 300 |
| California | $60,060 | 520 |
| Mississippi | $58,900 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $58,250 | 90 |
| Texas | $57,350 | 680 |
| Oregon | $57,170 | 70 |
| Colorado | $57,100 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $55,170 | 180 |
| Georgia | $55,000 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $54,890 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $54,320 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $54,060 | 50 |
| Alabama | $53,080 | 90 |
| Washington | $50,610 | 40 |
| Kentucky | $49,860 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,120 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $45,340 | 30 |
| Iowa | $39,490 | n/a |
Best-paying metro areas for embalmers
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $73,450 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,130 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $61,880 | 30 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $61,680 | 80 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $61,570 | 210 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $60,890 | 70 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $60,300 | 50 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $60,140 | 50 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $58,930 | 30 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $58,490 | 160 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $58,470 | 180 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $58,170 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $56,980 | 50 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $55,380 | 40 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $55,000 | 40 |
Metro areas with the most embalmers
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 210 | $61,570 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 180 | $58,470 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 160 | $58,490 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 80 | $45,740 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 80 | $61,680 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 70 | $60,890 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 60 | $63,130 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 50 | $56,980 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 50 | $60,140 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 50 | $54,850 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 50 | $60,300 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 40 | $55,000 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 40 | $49,120 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 40 | $58,170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 40 | $55,380 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Attendant | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $55,010 | $26.45 |
| 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 39-4011. 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 the U.S.?
The median salary for embalmers in the U.S. is $58,780 a year, or $28.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid embalmers make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of embalmers in the U.S. earn at least $77,570 a year. The top 25% earn $66,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for embalmers in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,310 a year, and a quarter of embalmers earn $48,010 or less.
How many embalmers work in the U.S.?
About 3,890 embalmers are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.