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Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers in California
Want to work as a Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers in California? Below are the key facts. Perform various tasks to arrange and direct individual funeral services, such as coordinating transportation of body to mortuary, interviewing family or other authorized person to arrange details, selecting pallbearers, aiding with the selection of officials for religious rites, and providing transportation for mourners. Excludes “Funeral Home Managers” (11-9171).
What do Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers Make in California?
For morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers working in California, the median annual wage is $47,170 per year (or about $22.68/hour).Pay can range from $35,200 at the 10th percentile to $76,070 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| 25th percentile | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| Median (50th) | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 75th percentile | $60,360 | $29.02 |
| 90th percentile | $76,070 | $36.57 |
The job concentration index in California nationwide is 0.89, meaning fewer morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers earn a median of $58,312 per year ($28.04/hour), lower than the California median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 369,709 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers across the United States. In California alone, approximately 2,670 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 420 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers.
Top California Metros for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
The metro areas below employ the most morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 1,000 | $47,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 320 | $56,260 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 280 | $45,850 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 240 | $46,240 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 130 | $47,560 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 120 | $56,100 |
| Fresno, CA | 90 | $44,510 |
| Modesto, CA | 50 | $48,550 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 50 | $47,880 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 40 | $46,160 |
| Vallejo, CA | 40 | $56,050 |
Top States for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers Employment
These states have the highest employment of morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 2,670 |
| Ohio | 1,530 |
| Texas | 1,530 |
| New York | 1,390 |
| Florida | 1,160 |
| Illinois | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,120 |
| North Carolina | 940 |
| Missouri | 790 |
| Michigan | 760 |
| Tennessee | 690 |
| Indiana | 660 |
| Kentucky | 660 |
| New Jersey | 620 |
| Massachusetts | 590 |
| Georgia | 570 |
| Iowa | 560 |
| Minnesota | 520 |
| Wisconsin | 490 |
| South Carolina | 490 |
Highest-Paying States for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers
These states pay the most for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Delaware | $80,290 |
| North Dakota | $76,720 |
| Minnesota | $76,490 |
| Nebraska | $65,310 |
| Maine | $63,790 |
| Iowa | $63,770 |
| New York | $62,590 |
| Idaho | $61,270 |
| Utah | $61,190 |
| New Hampshire | $61,000 |
Skills
Key morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers 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
Top abilities for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Oversee the preparation and care of the remains of people who have died.
- Obtain information needed to complete legal documents, such as death certificates or burial permits.
- Perform embalming duties, as necessary.
- Consult with families or friends of the deceased to arrange funeral details, such as obituary notice wording, casket selection, or plans for services.
- Remove deceased remains from place of death.
- Contact cemeteries to schedule the opening and closing of graves.
- Plan, schedule, or coordinate funerals, burials, or cremations, arranging details such as floral delivery or the time and place of services.
- Close caskets and lead funeral corteges to churches or burial sites.
- Provide information on funeral service options, products, or merchandise, and maintain a casket display area.
- Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
- Direct preparations and shipment of bodies for out-of-state burial.
- Discuss and negotiate prearranged funerals with clients.
Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Getting Information
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Performing Administrative Activities
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Access
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
Related Careers
Related occupations to morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers include:
- Medical and Health Services Managers
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Funeral Home Managers
- Coroners
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Also Known As
Arranger, Cemetery Manager, Certified Mortician, Embalmer, Funeral Arrangement Director, Funeral Arranger, Funeral Counselor, Funeral Director, Funeral Family Service Assistant, Funeral Location Manager, Funeral Planner, Funeral Planning Counselor, Funeral Prearrangement Counselor, Funeral Prearrangement Specialist, Hospital Mortician.
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: 39-4031.00
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