Embalmer Salary
Embalmers earn a median $58,780 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$58,780
$28.26 per hour
Range
$38,310 – $77,570
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
3,890
across the U.S.
▲4.4%
Pay trend: The median for embalmers in the U.S. rose from $56,280 (May 2024) to $58,780 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 2.0%.
What embalmers do
Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Long-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +0.7% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 700
Employment of embalmers is projected to grow 0.7% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Embalmer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$49,410
per year · effective tax rate 15.9%
$4,117Monthly
$2,059Twice a month
$1,900Every 2 weeks
$23.75Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,874
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,644
- Medicare (1.45%)$852
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,410
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,310 | $18.42 | $32,962 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 | $23.08 | $40,756 |
| Median (50th) | $58,780 | $28.26 | $49,410 |
| 75th percentile | $66,130 | $31.79 | $55,315 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,570 | $37.29 | $63,400 |
Embalmer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | $71,550 | −6.1% | $57,980 | $50,550 – $84,420 | 80 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,950 | — | $55,892 | $41,250 – $72,060 | 50 |
| North Carolina | $68,550 | +4.4% | $54,829 | $42,540 – $87,650 | 70 |
| Missouri | $66,490 | +40.7% | $53,417 | $39,940 – $76,640 | 160 |
| Virginia | $63,810 | +14.4% | $50,596 | $44,280 – $74,310 | 120 |
| Kansas | $63,160 | +10.9% | $50,204 | $38,540 – $108,350 | 120 |
| Indiana | $62,400 | — | $50,507 | $61,270 – $65,440 | — |
| South Carolina | $61,820 | +2.2% | $49,300 | $47,240 – $76,140 | 140 |
| Illinois | $61,730 | — | $48,869 | $56,490 – $75,780 | 60 |
| Rhode Island | $60,310 | — | $48,994 | $53,570 – $66,410 | 40 |
| Florida | $60,170 | +10.2% | $50,527 | $32,190 – $64,470 | 300 |
| California | $60,060 | +0.0% | $48,004 | $47,310 – $80,590 | 520 |
| Mississippi | $58,900 | +4.3% | $47,882 | $50,780 – $76,800 | 40 |
| Arkansas | $58,250 | +68.1% | $46,925 | $27,880 – $88,790 | 90 |
| Texas | $57,350 | +13.7% | $48,261 | $38,960 – $66,960 | 680 |
| Oregon | $57,170 | +18.9% | $43,943 | $45,670 – $73,390 | 70 |
| Colorado | $57,100 | −1.4% | $46,256 | $42,700 – $81,450 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $55,170 | −8.1% | $46,509 | $39,840 – $77,180 | 180 |
| Georgia | $55,000 | −12.5% | $44,141 | $40,310 – $73,640 | 50 |
| Louisiana | $54,890 | +3.9% | $45,024 | $16,940 – $88,610 | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $54,320 | — | $43,330 | $38,720 – $75,300 | 100 |
| West Virginia | $54,060 | +10.3% | $43,916 | $32,990 – $76,870 | 50 |
| Alabama | $53,080 | — | $42,441 | $20,800 – $86,900 | 90 |
| Washington | $50,610 | −21.5% | $42,845 | $39,600 – $88,900 | 40 |
| Kentucky | $49,860 | +5.1% | $40,615 | $30,440 – $70,150 | 280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,120 | +10.6% | $39,983 | $37,080 – $55,850 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $45,340 | — | $37,628 | $38,080 – $47,030 | 30 |
| Iowa | $39,490 | −15.9% | $33,061 | $31,810 – $78,420 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crematory Operator | $43,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $55,010 | Associate's degree | +3.0% |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers | $63,820 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Costume Attendant | $50,400 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers | $48,590 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.3% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,560 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.3% |
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.3% |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +8.8% |
| Residential Advisor | $42,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a embalmer make?
The national median salary for embalmers is $58,780 a year ($28.26 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,310 and the top 10% earn over $77,570. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays embalmers the most?
Ohio has the highest median pay at $71,550.
How many embalmers are there in the U.S.?
About 3,890 people work as embalmers nationwide.