Funeral Attendant salary in California
Funeral Attendants in California earn a median of $38,700 a year ($18.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,790 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,750 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $35,680. California ranks 18th of 48 states for funeral attendants pay. There are 0.10 funeral attendants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $42,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for funeral attendants in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,950 | $17.28 |
| 25th percentile | $36,990 | $17.78 |
| Median | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| 75th percentile | $44,420 | $21.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,750 | $25.84 |
| Average (mean) | $42,470 | $20.42 |
Half of funeral attendants 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 | $3,225 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,612.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,488.46 |
| Weekly | $744.23 |
| Hourly | $18.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Funeral Attendant salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,100 | 220 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,790 | 100 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $38,700 | 680 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $38,430 | 30 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $38,230 | 130 |
| Modesto, CA | $38,130 | 50 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,840 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $36,510 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for funeral attendants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $55,850 |
| Rhode Island | $53,580 |
| Nevada | $51,980 |
| Delaware | $46,720 |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 |
| Connecticut | $45,800 |
| Minnesota | $43,910 |
| New York | $42,210 |
| Colorado | $41,710 |
| Washington | $41,600 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| 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 39-4021. 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 funeral attendant make in California?
The median salary for funeral attendants in California is $38,700 a year, or $18.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid funeral attendants make in California?
The top 10% of funeral attendants in California earn at least $53,750 a year. The top 25% earn $44,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for funeral attendants in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,950 a year, and a quarter of funeral attendants earn $36,990 or less.
How many funeral attendants work in California?
About 1,790 funeral attendants are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.