Embalmer salary in Illinois
Embalmers in Illinois earn a median of $61,730 a year ($29.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,780 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $58,780. Illinois ranks 9th of 28 states for embalmers pay. There are 0.01 embalmers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $63,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for embalmers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,490 | $27.16 |
| 25th percentile | $57,210 | $27.51 |
| Median | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| 75th percentile | $69,320 | $33.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,780 | $36.44 |
| Average (mean) | $63,240 | $30.41 |
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 | $5,144.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,572.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,374.23 |
| Weekly | $1,187.12 |
| Hourly | $29.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Embalmer salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,130 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for embalmers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Ohio | $71,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,950 |
| North Carolina | $68,550 |
| Missouri | $66,490 |
| Virginia | $63,810 |
| Kansas | $63,160 |
| Indiana | $62,400 |
| South Carolina | $61,820 |
| Illinois | $61,730 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $69,600 | $33.46 |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,690 | $17.16 |
| Crematory Operator | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| Childcare Worker | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,770 | $15.75 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,150 | $23.63 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for embalmers in Illinois is $61,730 a year, or $29.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid embalmers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of embalmers in Illinois earn at least $75,780 a year. The top 25% earn $69,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for embalmers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,490 a year, and a quarter of embalmers earn $57,210 or less.
How many embalmers work in Illinois?
About 60 embalmers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.