Coroner vs autopsy assistant

The differences between coroners and autopsy assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a coroner, becoming an autopsy assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a coroner has an average salary of $53,616, which is higher than the $47,245 average annual salary of an autopsy assistant.

The top three skills for a coroner include law enforcement agencies, death investigations and physical evidence. The most important skills for an autopsy assistant are OSHA, provide technical assistance, and tissue samples.

Coroner vs autopsy assistant overview

	Coroner	Autopsy Assistant
Yearly salary	$53,616	$47,245
Hourly rate	$25.78	$22.71
Growth rate	16%	16%
Number of jobs	111	128,639
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	46	37
Years of experience	2	12

Coroner vs autopsy assistant salary

Coroners and autopsy assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Coroner	Autopsy Assistant
Average salary	$53,616	$47,245
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $109,000	Between $28,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between coroner and autopsy assistant education

There are a few differences between a coroner and an autopsy assistant in terms of educational background:

	Coroner	Autopsy Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	-

Coroner vs autopsy assistant demographics

Here are the differences between coroners' and autopsy assistants' demographics:

	Coroner	Autopsy Assistant
Average age	46	37
Gender ratio	Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 9.4% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	12%	6%

Differences between coroner and autopsy assistant duties and responsibilities

Coroner example responsibilities.

Perform DNA extraction, quantitation and PCR amplification
Perform in-depth forensic analysis of Macintosh computer hard drives and prepare expert report for use in ongoing litigation.
Upload to and compare candidate match profiles using the CODIS system.
Perform frozen sectioning for in-surgical consultation.

Autopsy assistant example responsibilities.

Attain medical histories, explain treatment procedures to patients, prepare patients for examination, and assist during diagnostic examinations.
Preform specific protocol for fixation, dehydration and infiltration of tissue gross in by the pathologist or myself.
Preform radiologic imaging on decease individuals.
Perform frozen sectioning for in-surgical consultation.
Assume responsibility for maintaining current certification in CPR.
Perform clinical functions including but not limit to: allergy shots and injections/immunizations, venipuncture, and approve laboratory tests.

Coroner vs autopsy assistant skills

Common coroner skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 37%
Death Investigations, 37%
Physical Evidence, 18%
Death Scenes, 6%
Death Certificates, 2%

Common autopsy assistant skills

OSHA, 35%
Provide Technical Assistance, 12%
Tissue Samples, 9%
Suturing, 9%
Law Enforcement Agencies, 6%
Funeral Homes, 5%