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For Educators: Military Resources

Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers

Median Salary
51,030
Job Outlook
+4%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

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.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

76%

Self-employed

19%

Private not for profit

3%

State and local government

1%

Federal Government

0%

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of funeral service workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,800 openings for funeral service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$21,730

10%

$51,030

Median

$80,250

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Associate's degree

    73%

  • High school

    15%

  • Bachelor's degree

    11%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, General
  • Funeral Direction/Service
  • Funeral Service and Mortuary Science, Other
  • Thanatology

Skills and Interest

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

Skills

  • Leadership

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Mid

  • Technology Design and Control

    Mid

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Mid

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative
  • Psychology
  • English Language
  • Administration and Management

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

Workplace

  • Responsibility

    High

  • Decision Making

    High

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Mid

  • Time Pressure

    Mid

  • Physical Activity

    Mid

  • Repetitiveness

    Low

  • Level Of Competition

    Low

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Enterprising

You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.