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Funeral Attendants in California
Want to work as a Funeral Attendants in California? Here’s what the data says. Perform a variety of tasks during funeral, such as placing casket in parlor or chapel prior to service, arranging floral offerings or lights around casket, directing or escorting mourners, closing casket, and issuing and storing funeral equipment.
What do Funeral Attendants Make in California?
For funeral attendants working in California, the median annual wage is $38,960 per year (or about $18.73/hour).Pay can range from $34,620 at the 10th percentile to $55,300 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,620 | $16.64 |
| 25th percentile | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Median (50th) | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| 75th percentile | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| 90th percentile | $55,300 | $26.59 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California nationwide is 0.43, suggesting fewer funeral attendants per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, funeral attendants earn a median of $61,550 per year ($29.59/hour), lower than the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 42,394 funeral attendants across the United States. In California alone, around 1,550 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 460 funeral attendants.
Top California Metros for Funeral Attendants
The largest metro-area employers of funeral attendants in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 630 | $37,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 180 | $44,240 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 130 | $36,440 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 90 | $38,140 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 90 | $37,670 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 80 | $47,320 |
| Modesto, CA | 40 | $36,850 |
Top States for Funeral Attendants Employment
The table below shows the states where the most funeral attendants work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 1,980 |
| Ohio | 1,630 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,610 |
| North Carolina | 1,580 |
| California | 1,550 |
| Michigan | 1,520 |
| New York | 1,520 |
| Florida | 1,470 |
| Virginia | 1,410 |
| Georgia | 1,270 |
| Tennessee | 1,240 |
| Illinois | 1,150 |
| Indiana | 1,130 |
| South Carolina | 780 |
| Missouri | 730 |
| Massachusetts | 640 |
| Maryland | 630 |
| New Jersey | 610 |
| Oklahoma | 600 |
| Wisconsin | 580 |
Highest-Paying States for Funeral Attendants
These states pay the most for funeral attendants.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $53,420 |
| New Jersey | $45,290 |
| Delaware | $45,140 |
| Massachusetts | $43,980 |
| Connecticut | $42,730 |
| Oregon | $39,760 |
| California | $38,960 |
| Vermont | $38,860 |
| Minnesota | $38,550 |
| Washington | $38,480 |
Skills
Key funeral attendants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for funeral attendants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Funeral Attendants typically:
- Greet people at the funeral home.
- Perform a variety of tasks during funerals to assist funeral directors and to ensure that services run smoothly and as planned.
- Close caskets at appropriate point in services.
- Direct or escort mourners to parlors or chapels in which wakes or funerals are being held.
- Place caskets in parlors or chapels prior to wakes or funerals.
- Offer assistance to mourners as they enter or exit limousines.
- Clean funeral parlors or chapels.
- Arrange floral offerings or lights around caskets.
- Clean and drive funeral vehicles, such as cars or hearses, in funeral processions.
- Act as pallbearers.
- Supervise funeral processions and assist with cemetery parking.
- Deliver floral arrangements or other items to family members of the deceased.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Getting Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel In-demand technologies: Microsoft Office software
Related Careers
Related occupations to funeral attendants include:
Also Known As
Cemetery Services Specialist, Funeral Assistant, Funeral Associate, Funeral Attendant, Funeral Director, Funeral Greeter, Funeral Home Assistant, Funeral Home Associate, Funeral Home Attendant, Funeral Service Attendant, Funeral Services Assistant (FSA), Greeter, Mortician Helper, Pallbearer, 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: 39-4021.00