Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Associate's degree
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Funeral home managers oversee operations in funeral service settings and coordinate many aspects of care for clients and their families. Nationally, this occupation supports about 32,000 jobs, offering a defined professional path with a specialized focus. The national median annual salary of $76,830 indicates a solid earning level for those who develop the required expertise. Projected employment growth of 4.1%, combined with 3,000 annual openings, points to ongoing movement in the field through job creation and replacement needs. The role draws on a blend of customer service, leadership, project management, and strong interpersonal abilities, supported by skills in problem solving, detail orientation, and adaptability. Speaking and listening, along with knowledge of science and computers and information technology, also matter in this career. For people interested in a management position that combines service to others with operational oversight, funeral home management offers a focused, long-term career option supported by consistent demand and a clear skill profile.
Funeral home managers earn a national median annual salary of $76,830, reflecting substantial earning potential for an occupation that typically requires an associate’s degree. Salaries vary by location, and some states and metro areas offer higher median pay. Among the top states, New York shows a median salary of $103,530 and Washington $102,540, while California, Massachusetts, and Virginia fall in the low $80,000s. At the metro level, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area leads with a median salary of $113,620, followed by Washington-Arlington-Alexandria at $101,770 and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $96,480. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also offer median salaries above or near the national median. This variation means that geographic choices can significantly influence earnings, and areas with higher median salaries may appeal to experienced managers able to meet local expectations and competition.
Nationally, funeral home managers account for about 32,000 jobs, indicating a well-established but specialized occupation. Projected employment growth of 4.1% suggests that the number of positions is expected to increase over time. In addition, there are an estimated 3,000 annual openings in this field. These openings can reflect both new positions and turnover in existing roles, creating recurring opportunities for new entrants and for professionals looking to move between employers or regions. Because the same 4.1% projected growth rate appears across the highlighted states and metro areas, the outlook is consistently positive in those featured locations as well. For students and career changers, this combination of existing employment, projected growth, and regular annual openings points to a career path with ongoing hiring needs rather than a static or shrinking niche, especially for those who build the key management and service-oriented skills associated with this role.
Several states and metro areas stand out for funeral home managers based on salary, employment, growth, and opportunity scores. Among states, New York and Washington offer the highest listed median salaries, at $103,530 and $102,540, respectively, with smaller employment counts than the national total but strong opportunity scores above 56. California, Massachusetts, and Virginia show median salaries in the low $80,000s and opportunity scores ranging from roughly 55 to 67, with California and New York also providing the largest state-level employment among those listed. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara carry the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, with median salaries of $113,620 and $96,480. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton also post strong opportunity scores and median salaries at or above $80,790. These figures highlight meaningful geographic differences in both pay levels and opportunity measures for this occupation.
Funeral home managers typically need an associate’s degree, providing a structured educational pathway into this management role. Because the occupation combines operational oversight with direct service to clients, a broad skill set is valuable. Customer service skills help in working effectively with clients, while interpersonal, speaking, and listening skills support sensitive, clear communication. Leadership and project management skills are important for coordinating people, processes, and timelines in a funeral home setting. Problem solving and decision making, along with a strong detail-oriented approach, help managers address complex situations accurately and consistently. Adaptability allows professionals to respond to changing circumstances and diverse client needs. The inclusion of science as a key skill indicates that some aspects of the work may draw on scientific understanding, and competence with computers and information technology supports the administrative and operational side of the role. Together, the associate’s degree foundation and these skills form the core profile for success in this occupation.
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