Crematory operators salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,270 | $16.00 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $43,650 | $20.98 |
| Mean (average) | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| 90th percentile | $62,460 | $30.03 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Crematory operators pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 24 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $33,840 | $32,270 | $49,540 | 40 | 1.06 |
| Arizona | $49,970 | $39,410 | $57,770 | 40 | 0.7 |
| California | $49,780 | $44,030 | $67,190 | 240 | 0.7 |
| Colorado | $52,060 | $37,440 | $72,300 | 70 | 1.24 |
| Connecticut | $47,160 | $43,390 | $71,040 | 100 | 3.09 |
| Delaware | $50,320 | $46,400 | $52,660 | 30 | 3.26 |
| Florida | $38,710 | $36,480 | $47,480 | 320 | 1.69 |
| Illinois | $41,740 | $36,520 | $47,120 | 190 | 1.61 |
| Indiana | $40,650 | $36,420 | $61,580 | 190 | 3.17 |
| Iowa | $35,120 | $33,610 | $44,330 | ||
| Kansas | $46,490 | $38,500 | $59,170 | 50 | 2 |
| Kentucky | $37,740 | $32,150 | $50,990 | 50 | 1.41 |
| Massachusetts | $56,050 | $43,370 | $59,520 | 30 | 0.47 |
| Michigan | $40,970 | $30,310 | $53,090 | 130 | 1.57 |
| Nevada | $46,190 | $36,070 | $56,020 | 80 | 2.6 |
| North Carolina | $41,350 | $34,020 | $49,710 | 150 | 1.58 |
| Ohio | $43,530 | $36,190 | $47,990 | 60 | 0.6 |
| Oregon | $37,020 | $31,200 | $50,990 | 100 | 2.59 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,980 | $34,520 | $57,190 | 140 | 1.24 |
| Tennessee | $35,880 | $34,580 | $38,380 | ||
| Texas | $33,270 | $29,790 | $50,690 | 270 | 1 |
| Washington | $53,580 | $46,740 | $65,650 | 70 | 1.05 |
| West Virginia | $43,840 | $41,670 | $59,990 | 30 | 2.32 |
| Wisconsin | $64,220 | $48,460 | $71,270 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for crematory operators
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 500. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for crematory operators
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Mortuary Science and Embalming/Embalmer CIP 12.0303
- Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, Other CIP 12.0399
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- 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.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Belmar & Associates Mortware
- HMIS Advantage
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do crematory operators make?
The national median annual wage for crematory operators was $43,650 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $33,270 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $62,460. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do crematory operators need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and short-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is crematory operators a growing career?
BLS projects employment of crematory operators to change +3.1% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 500 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay crematory operators the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Wisconsin ($64,220), Massachusetts ($56,050), Washington ($53,580). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.