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
None
Long-term on-the-job training
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.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Embalmers work in a specialized field that combines technical skill, attention to detail, and direct support to families during sensitive times. Nationally, the occupation has a median annual salary of $56,280, with about 4,000 people employed across the country. The field is projected to grow by 1.3%, with an estimated 1,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing replacement and hiring needs. Typical entry into this career involves completing an associate’s degree, paired with a skill set that blends science, customer service, and strong interpersonal abilities. Successful embalmers tend to be detail oriented, adaptable, and comfortable with problem solving and decision making. The work also calls for physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and clear speaking and listening skills when interacting with others. Overall, this career offers a defined professional path with specialized responsibilities and consistent demand reflected in its projected openings and steady employment base.
Embalmers earn a national median annual salary of $56,280, with pay levels differing by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Virginia reports a median salary of $63,810, and California offers $60,060, both above the national median. Colorado shows $57,100, while Massachusetts is close to the national figure at $54,320, and Washington reports $50,610. At the metro level, Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV stands out with a median salary of $73,450. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA and San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA show median pay of $61,570 and $60,890, respectively, above the national median. Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX has a median of $58,470, while Denver–Aurora–Centennial, CO reflects $45,300. These figures indicate that embalmers’ earnings can vary meaningfully, with some metros and states offering substantially higher pay than the national median.
Embalmers have a national employment base of about 4,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 1.3%. This growth projection, while modest, indicates that the occupation is expected to continue with a generally stable presence in the labor market. Nationally, there are an estimated 1,000 annual openings, which suggests ongoing hiring needs from a combination of new positions and turnover. The consistent growth rate of 1.3% also appears across several highlighted states and metro areas, signaling a relatively uniform outlook in multiple regions. For individuals considering this path, the combination of an established employment base, measurable projected growth, and defined annual openings points to a career with continuing opportunities over time rather than a rapidly contracting or expanding field. This environment may appeal to those who value stability and a steady flow of openings when planning their long-term career trajectories.
Location can significantly shape opportunities for embalmers, as shown by the variation in salaries, employment counts, and opportunity scores. Among states, California leads in opportunity score at 67.38, with a median salary of $60,060 and employment of 520. Massachusetts and Colorado follow with opportunity scores of 65.87 and 56.97, respectively, each with smaller employment levels of 100 and 70 but median salaries of $54,320 and $57,100. Washington and Virginia also appear in the top group; Virginia combines a relatively high median salary of $63,810 with employment of 120 and an opportunity score of 54.96. At the metro level, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA has the highest opportunity score at 68.75 and a median salary of $60,890. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offers the highest listed metro salary at $73,450. Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA, Denver–Aurora–Centennial, CO, and Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TX also provide notable combinations of employment, salary, and opportunity scores, giving candidates several strong regional options to consider.
The typical education for embalmers is an associate’s degree, providing a structured pathway into this specialized career. Beyond formal education, the role relies on a broad mix of technical and people-focused skills. Science skills form an important foundation, supporting the more technical aspects of the work. Detail orientation, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina are also central, reflecting the precision and physical demands associated with this occupation. Embalmers regularly draw on customer service and interpersonal skills, as well as strong speaking and listening abilities, to navigate sensitive interactions with others. Adaptability and problem solving and decision making help them respond effectively to varied situations and requirements. Project management skills further support organizing tasks and managing responsibilities over time. Together, an associate’s degree and these key skills create a clear profile of what it takes to enter and succeed in this field.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
