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.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-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.
Funeral attendants support funeral services and related activities, working directly with grieving families and guests. This career combines service, practical support, and attention to detail. Nationally, about 32,000 people work in this occupation, and projected employment growth of 3.1% suggests steady demand. Around 6,000 openings are expected each year, reflecting both new positions and turnover. The typical entry requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, making this a relatively accessible path for people interested in service-focused work. Success in this field relies on strong interpersonal and customer service skills, along with speaking and listening abilities. Detail orientation, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina also play an important role. Basic comfort with computers and information technology is helpful, as is the ability to read, write, and follow procedures. For those seeking a people-oriented role with consistent demand and clear entry requirements, funeral attendant positions can be a practical option to consider.
The national median annual salary for funeral attendants is $34,610. Pay varies across states and metro areas, creating different earning profiles depending on location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts shows a median salary of $46,280, New York $42,210, California $38,700, Colorado $41,710, and Washington $41,600. At the metro level, Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH stands out with a median of $48,110, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ is $45,100 and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $44,100. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV has a median of $39,500, and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA is $38,700. These figures show that earnings can be notably higher in some metros and states compared with the national median, so geographic choices can significantly influence income potential for funeral attendants.
Funeral attendants have a national employment level of about 32,000 workers, with a projected employment growth rate of 3.1%. This projected growth, combined with an estimated 6,000 annual openings, indicates a stable stream of opportunities over time. The annual openings figure reflects both new positions created by growth and the need to replace workers who change jobs or leave the occupation. Because the projected growth rate is the same value listed across the highlighted states and metro areas, the outlook appears consistently steady in different regions featured in the data. For students, career changers, or job seekers, this suggests that while the occupation is not extremely large, it offers an ongoing flow of positions to pursue. People interested in this field can consider both national and regional trends, knowing that the data point to continued demand for funeral attendants in the coming years.
Location makes a meaningful difference for funeral attendant opportunities. Among states highlighted for strong opportunity scores, California, Massachusetts, and New York combine relatively high employment levels with solid median salaries. California has 1,790 employed funeral attendants with a median salary of $38,700 and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts shows 1,090 employed and a higher median salary of $46,280, with an opportunity score of 65.87. New York has 1,450 employed, a median salary of $42,210, and a 65.78 opportunity score. Colorado and Washington each list 160 employed funeral attendants, with median salaries just over $41,000 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stands out with an opportunity score of 77.27 and a median salary of $45,100. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports a median of $48,110, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA provide sizable employment bases and strong opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for funeral attendants is a high school diploma or equivalent, which makes this role accessible to people who do not have a college degree. However, success in this occupation depends strongly on a well-rounded skill set. Interpersonal and customer service skills are central, as funeral attendants frequently interact with people and support them during sensitive situations. Speaking and listening abilities help with clear communication, while writing and reading skills support accurate information handling. Mechanical aptitude, fine motor skills, and physical strength and stamina are also important, reflecting the practical and sometimes physically demanding aspects of the work. Comfort with computers and information technology supports the administrative and information-related side of the role. A detail-oriented approach ties these skills together, helping funeral attendants follow procedures and maintain consistency. Individuals who build these capabilities alongside a high school education may be well prepared to enter and progress in this field.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
