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Job outlook for licensed funeral directors and embalmer in the United States
Licensed funeral director and embalmer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected licensed funeral director and embalmer job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 5,300 new jobs for licensed funeral directors and embalmer are projected over the next decade.
Licensed funeral director and embalmer salaries have increased 8% for licensed funeral directors and embalmer in the last 5 years.
There are over 20,991 licensed funeral directors and embalmer currently employed in the United States.
There are 15,756 active licensed funeral director and embalmer job openings in the US.
The average licensed funeral director and embalmer salary is $38,615.
Are licensed funeral director and embalmer jobs in demand?
Licensed funeral director and embalmer job and salary trends over time
Licensed funeral director and embalmer jobs over time
Licensed funeral director and embalmer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 20,991 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 20,872 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 21,620 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 21,875 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 21,637 | 0.01% |
Average licensed funeral director and embalmer salary over time
Licensed funeral director and embalmer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $38,615 | $18.57 | --0.1% |
| 2025 | $38,651 | $18.58 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $37,580 | $18.07 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $37,009 | $17.79 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $35,753 | $17.19 | +3.3% |
Licensed funeral director and embalmer jobs by state
Most common states for licensed funeral directors and embalmer
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 945 | 30% |
| 2 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 806 | 27% |
| 3 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 986 | 20% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 175 | 18% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 861 | 15% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 290 | 15% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 414 | 14% |
| 8 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 148 | 14% |
| 9 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,162 | 11% |
| 10 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 828 | 11% |
| 11 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 670 | 11% |
| 12 | Louisiana | 4,684,333 | 493 | 11% |
| 13 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 448 | 11% |
| 14 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 226 | 11% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 406 | 10% |
| 16 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 302 | 10% |
| 17 | Texas | 28,304,596 | 2,472 | 9% |
| 18 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 891 | 9% |
| 19 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 492 | 9% |
| 20 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 96 | 9% |
Licensed Funeral Director And Embalmer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of licensed funeral director and embalmer experts
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Cremation Association of North America
American Board of Funeral Service Education (ABFSE)
Dr. Michael LuBrant Ph.D.
Director, Program of Mortuary ScienceUniversity of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Funeral Service And Mortuary Science
What general advice would you give to a Licensed Funeral Director And Embalmer?
Dr. Michael LuBrant Ph.D.: Consider additional training opportunities to earn credentials that will enhance your professional skill set. For example, consider becoming a certified funeral celebrant, a certified crematory operator, and/or a certified funeral pre-arranger. All of these trainings and credentials demonstrate a willingness to go 'above and beyond' what is typically required for licensure as a funeral director and/or embalmer. Seek out employment opportunities at funeral firms which recognize and value these credentials.
What Licensed Funeral Director And Embalmer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Michael LuBrant Ph.D.: The most important skills you can bring to the profession are an empathic disposition, and the ability to provide attentive, compassionate service to client families experiencing pain and loss. Strong interpersonal communication skills are key to success in funeral service. Whereas the use of new and developing technologies such as AI in mortuary science will continue to grow in the future, the most important skill you can cultivate is the ability to be truly present for and with others during their time of bereavement.
What will help Licensed Funeral Directors And Embalmer increase their earning potential?
Dr. Michael LuBrant Ph.D.: Our professional relationships are very important in mortuary science. Do everything you can to meet as many people in the profession while a student; take advantage of every opportunity for internship and practicum experiences. Get to know the vendors who visit and serve funeral home clients. The greater your professional network, the more opportunities you will have for employment. Many employment opportunities are presented via 'word of mouth' and through professional connections, which is why it's so important to get to know as many people as possible while still a student. When searching for a job, endeavor to find an employer and mentor who will help you be successful. Consider employment areas in towns and communities that may be new and/or unfamiliar to you - there are many business owners who are actively looking for someone to take over and/or purchase their business as they approach retirement.
What general advice would you give to a Licensed Funeral Director And Embalmer?
Cody Walker: While much of our society is becoming more autonomous in business interactions, I believe it will be critically important to remain vigilant in providing personal service to the families we serve. In providing personal service, we must also embrace the ever-changing technological landscape that can be used to enhance services available to families. While I feel we must always honor the traditional services families choose, we should be open and accepting to less traditional and innovative services and offerings.
What Licensed Funeral Director And Embalmer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Cody Walker: First and foremost, one must have a genuine desire to care and serve others in their greatest time of need. Funeral service is just as much about caring for the dead and caring for the living that survive the decedent. A funeral service professional can make a truly meaningful difference in the grieving and mourning process. When asked, an overwhelming majority of funeral service professionals will say they feel they are called or meant to serve others in their time of need. Research state-specific licensing requirements for the state in which you will practice. Know in advance what license(s) you would like to earn and the processes for earning them. Also, be certain to review any background check concerns that may prevent you from earning licensure. Many states will allow candidates to apply for waivers regarding these concerns prior to beginning their education. Determine what your career goals are in the death care profession. It is important to consider this aspect while attending school, following completion of educational requirements, during any required provisional or apprenticeship period, and long-term career goals. The death care profession can, in many cases, require irregular working hours that may include nights, weekends, and holidays. This can depend on the type of position and the firm in which one is employed. I feel it is important to consider the potential work schedule requirements in advance. One should thoroughly research the job market and earning potential for the area in which they are considering to practice.
What will help Licensed Funeral Directors And Embalmer increase their earning potential?
Cody Walker: In my opinion, many parts of the country have been slow in bringing available starting salary ranges to a level commensurate with the education, skills, and knowledge required of the profession. When starting one’s career, they should first consider the position they most want to pursue. It may be that one more enjoys working on the funeral directing side of the profession while another may prefer the embalming or cremation side. With that consideration, sufficient due diligence should be performed to identify potential earning levels for the desired position. There can be vast differences in starting salaries from state to state, as well as various regions within a state. It is prudent for those entering the profession to learn and be familiar with resources that are available. There are vast resources from credible sources online, including local, state, and national trade associations. Many associations offer complimentary or reduced memberships for students of funeral service.
What general advice would you give to a Licensed Funeral Director And Embalmer?
Barbara Kemmis: The job prospects for new funeral directors, crematory operators, and cemetery workers are bright. Deemed essential workers, the demand is higher than ever for qualified and experienced workers across the country.
What type of skills will young Licensed Funeral Directors And Embalmer need?
Barbara Kemmis: In most states, an Associates Degree is required as well as a licensing exam to become a funeral director. However, there are entry-level administrative, sales, and transport positions available,
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Licensed Funeral Directors And Embalmer to find work opportunities?
Barbara Kemmis: Generally speaking, there is strong demand throughout the U.S., but there is a great need for licensed funeral directors in rural areas of the country. These positions often come with housing (i.e., an apartment above a funeral home) and great wages.
How do you envision technology impacting Licensed Funeral Directors And Embalmer in the next 5 years?
Barbara Kemmis: The pandemic has accelerated a trend of older workers leaving the profession. There are not nearly enough new graduates to replace current workers, so the prospects are good for future entrants to the death care profession.
What general advice would you give to a Licensed Funeral Director And Embalmer?
Dr. Jzyk Ennis Ph.D.: The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly been an interesting time for all of education. To the specific question about employment forecasts, there is a significant need for licensed funeral service professionals across the United States. Before the pandemic, there are many areas that cannot find licensed help to fill the employment vacancies created by those who are retiring. Data for 2020 will not be collected and analyzed until 2021.
At this time, we have no reason to believe that the number of new enrollees and graduates in our ABFSE accredited programs will be significantly impacted by the pandemic in 2020. What we do as funeral professionals, and the job function of graduates in 2020 (and beyond), has not really changed due to the pandemic. We still care for the living by taking care of the dead. We always teach (and businesses should practice) universal precautions by wearing personal protective equipment when in contact with decedents. We teach our students to treat every decedent as if they had an infectious disease to protect their own health. While no research has been conducted, I do believe that funeral service professionals are more at-risk in the pandemic with contact they may have with the living rather than the dead.
In summary, the outlook for licensed funeral service professionals is strong. The basic job function of our graduates is the same as before the pandemic, and the American Board of Funeral Service accredited funeral service education programs continue to prepare graduates for licensed funeral service practice during this pandemic and beyond.