Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
As of October 2025, the average salary for a funeral director in the United States is $39,048 per year, or about $19 per hour. However, earnings can fluctuate significantly based on various factors.
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level funeral directors may earn less, while those with years of experience often command higher salaries. Additionally, geographic location can impact pay; for instance, funeral directors in urban areas typically earn more than those in rural settings.
According to recent data, states such as California and New York offer the highest salaries for funeral directors, reflecting higher living costs. Exploring average salaries by state can provide valuable insights for job seekers.
Many funeral directors also have opportunities for advancement into roles such as managing funeral homes or specializing in areas like grief counseling. This not only enhances their earning potential but also allows them to provide more comprehensive support to families.
Let Zippi find your next funeral director job
Let Zippi find your next funeral director job
The highest-paying states for funeral directors are Alaska, North Dakota, and Washington. The lowest average funeral director salary states are Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana | $41,365 | $19.89 |
| 2 | Oregon | $44,201 | $21.25 |
| 3 | Arizona | $41,977 | $20.18 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $43,722 | $21.02 |
| 5 | Alabama | $39,437 | $18.96 |
| 6 | Mississippi | $39,597 | $19.04 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $40,611 | $19.52 |
| 8 | Oklahoma | $39,239 | $18.86 |
| 9 | Alaska | $48,136 | $23.14 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $44,733 | $21.51 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $43,654 | $20.99 |
| 12 | Maine | $42,438 | $20.40 |
| 13 | Washington | $44,401 | $21.35 |
| 14 | California | $43,696 | $21.01 |
| 15 | Florida | $39,853 | $19.16 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $44,076 | $21.19 |
| 17 | Idaho | $42,973 | $20.66 |
| 18 | Virginia | $41,552 | $19.98 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $39,692 | $19.08 |
| 20 | Missouri | $39,612 | $19.04 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $40,940 | $19.68 |
| 22 | Utah | $41,370 | $19.89 |
| 23 | Georgia | $39,330 | $18.91 |
| 24 | Iowa | $34,167 | $16.43 |
| 25 | Michigan | $35,726 | $17.18 |
| 26 | New Jersey | $35,966 | $17.29 |
| 27 | Rhode Island | $34,626 | $16.65 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $32,675 | $15.71 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $32,029 | $15.40 |
| 30 | Texas | $33,104 | $15.92 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $35,350 | $17.00 |
| 32 | New Hampshire | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $32,062 | $15.41 |
| 34 | Nevada | $33,651 | $16.18 |
| 35 | New York | $36,078 | $17.35 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $31,693 | $15.24 |
| 37 | Illinois | $34,763 | $16.71 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $33,131 | $15.93 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $33,776 | $16.24 |
| 40 | Ohio | $33,454 | $16.08 |
| 41 | Montana | $34,554 | $16.61 |
| 42 | Delaware | $34,341 | $16.51 |
| 43 | Massachusetts | $34,418 | $16.55 |
| 44 | Maryland | $33,961 | $16.33 |
| 45 | Connecticut | $34,867 | $16.76 |
| 46 | Kansas | $32,309 | $15.53 |
| 47 | Vermont | $33,889 | $16.29 |
| 48 | District of Columbia | $33,747 | $16.22 |
| 49 | Colorado | $28,907 | $13.90 |
| 50 | Kentucky | $31,471 | $15.13 |
| 51 | South Carolina | $30,990 | $14.90 |
The highest-paying cities for funeral directors are Belmont, CA, Bellevue, WA, and Beaverton, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belmont, CA | $44,547 | $21.42 |
| 2 | Bellevue, WA | $44,473 | $21.38 |
| 3 | Beaverton, OR | $44,239 | $21.27 |
| 4 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,145 | $21.22 |
| 5 | Harrisburg, PA | $43,709 | $21.01 |
| 6 | Arlington, VA | $42,751 | $20.55 |
| 7 | Fort Wayne, IN | $42,512 | $20.44 |
| 8 | Tucson, AZ | $42,099 | $20.24 |
| 9 | Greenville, NC | $40,148 | $19.30 |
| 10 | Tampa, FL | $40,053 | $19.26 |
| 11 | Kansas City, MO | $39,703 | $19.09 |
| 12 | Birmingham, AL | $39,284 | $18.89 |
| 13 | Tucker, GA | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| 14 | Oklahoma City, OK | $39,259 | $18.87 |
| 15 | Rochester, NY | $36,246 | $17.43 |
| 16 | Chicago, IL | $34,919 | $16.79 |
| 17 | Cedar Falls, IA | $34,787 | $16.72 |
| 18 | Akron, OH | $34,084 | $16.39 |
| 19 | Salisbury, MD | $33,753 | $16.23 |
| 20 | Austin, TX | $33,384 | $16.05 |
A funeral director's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $51,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| Average | $39,048 | $3,254 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
The highest paying types of funeral directors are funeral pre-need consultant, mortician, and funeral prearrangement counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funeral Arranger | $41,637 | $3,470 | $20.02 | 24,452 |
| Embalmer/Funeral Director | $38,736 | $3,228 | $18.62 | 5,805 |
Top companies hiring funeral directors now:
Funeral director salaries at Precoa and GPAC are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average funeral director salary at companies like Decisions and Rose Hills Mortuary are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Precoa | $40,288 | $19.37 |
| 2 | GPAC | $40,163 | $19.31 |
| 3 | Decisions | $39,743 | $19.11 |
| 4 | Rose Hills Mortuary | $38,174 | $18.35 |
| 5 | Service Corporation International | $38,116 | $18.32 |
| 6 | Goodwin Recruiting | $37,736 | $18.14 |
| 7 | StoneMor | $37,043 | $17.81 |
| 8 | Foundation Partners | $36,866 | $17.72 |
| 9 | NorthStar Memorial Group | $34,724 | $16.69 |
The average funeral director salary has risen by $5,418 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average funeral director earned $33,630 annually, but today, they earn $39,048 a year. That works out to a 8% change in pay for funeral directors over the last decade.
Compare funeral director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare funeral director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,000 | $18.77 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | $39,100 | $18.79 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $38,000 | $18.27 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $37,400 | $17.99 | +3.4% |
| 2021 | $36,200 | $17.38 | +3.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director | Golden Valley, MN | 06/30/2025 | $66,784 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director | Springfield, IL | 06/30/2025 | $60,732 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director-Advance Planning | Lynchburg, VA | 06/30/2025 | $40,000 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director | Salisbury, MD | 06/30/2025 | $45,434 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director | Kenmore, NY | 06/30/2025 | $48,001 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/30/2025 | $41,740 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director | Tacoma, WA | 06/30/2025 | $62,610 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director | San Jose, CA | 06/30/2025 | $61,567 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director-Advance Planning | Greensboro, NC | 06/30/2025 | $40,000 |
| Service Corporation International | Funeral Director Associate | Urban Honolulu, HI | 06/30/2025 | $36,001 |
Search for funeral director jobs