Crematory Operators in California

Considering working as a Crematory Operators in California? Here’s what the data says. Operate crematory equipment to reduce human or animal remains to bone fragments in accordance with state and local regulations. Duties may include preparing the body for cremation and performing general maintenance on crematory equipment. May use traditional flame-based cremation, calcination, or alkaline hydrolysis.

What do Crematory Operators Make in California?

For a crematory operators working in California, the typical annual salary is $49,860 per year (or about $23.97/hour).Annual wages span from $39,850 at the 10th percentile to $66,560 at the 90th percentile.

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California relative to the national average — is 0.65, suggesting fewer crematory operators per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, crematory operators earn a median of $48,579 per year ($23.36/hour), above the California median.

Employment Outlook

There are roughly 242,409 crematory operators in the U.S.. In California alone, approximately 220 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 100 crematory operators.

Top California Metros for Crematory Operators

These are the California metros with the most crematory operators in California.

Top States for Crematory Operators Employment

The table below shows the states where the most crematory operators work.

Highest-Paying States for Crematory Operators

These states pay the most for crematory operators.

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

• Clean the crematorium, including tables, floors, and equipment.
• Document divided remains to ensure parts are not misplaced.
• Embalm, dress, or otherwise prepare the deceased for viewing.
• Explain the cremation process to family or friends of the deceased.
• Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
• Pick up and handle human or pet remains in a respectful manner.
• Place corpses into crematory machines to reduce remains to bone fragments using flame, heat, or alkaline hydrolysis.
• Pulverize remaining bone fragments into smaller pieces, using specialized equipment, such as a cremulator or grinder.
• Read documentation to confirm the identity of the deceased.
• Remove jewelry, watches, or other personal items from the deceased prior to cremation.
• Sweep or vacuum the cremation chamber to retrieve remains for storage in an urn or other container.
• Transport the deceased to a funeral home or crematory using a van, hearse, or other vehicle.

Tools & Technology

Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

• Funeral & Mortuary Science

Related Careers

Careers similar to crematory operators include:

• Funeral Home Managers
• Coroners
• Floral Designers
• Surgical Technologists
• Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
• Home Health Aides

Also Known As

Cremation Arranger, Cremator, Crematory Operator, Operations Team Member (Ops Team Member), Pet Crematory Operator, Removal Technician (Removal Tech).

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 39-4012.00