STEP 01
Explore the Career
"Is this career right for me?"
Understand what morticians actually do, the job outlook through 2034, and the honest financial trade-offs before you commit.
Mortician Career Guide
Mortician Career Guide:
Salary, Schools, Licensing & ROI
Compare the full path before you commit: how to enter the field, what morticians earn by state, which schools fit your budget, what license rules apply, and whether the ROI works in your target market.
$55,010
Median Salary
BLS May 2025
25,100
Jobs Nationwide
~5,800 openings/year
58
ABFSE Programs
Accredited schools
7
Free Tools
All data-driven
Read the 5-step guide Check requirements See mortician salary Check salary by state Compare mortuary schools
Quick answer: the standard path is 3-5 years.
Plan on roughly 2 years for an accredited mortuary science or funeral service program, plus 1-3 years of apprenticeship. Use the mortician requirements checklist to confirm education, age, exams, and licensing rules, then compare national salary and salary by state before choosing a school.
For pay research, the current national median mortician salary is $55,010 in BLS May 2025 data. Start with the full mortician salary guide for the national range, then use salary by state to compare local pay before you choose a school or relocation target.
Choose Your Next Step
Start the career path
What education, apprenticeship, and license do I need?
Compare pay by market
Which states pay enough to justify the move or degree?
Check job outlook
Is demand stable enough before I invest in school?
Choose a school
Which ABFSE program fits my tuition and debt limits?
Check license rules
Which education, exam, apprenticeship, and renewal rules apply?
Share the resource hub
Need one link for students, advisors, or career centers?
Core Mortician Career Guides
Start with the main planning hub, then go deeper into salary, licensing, school choice, requirements, timeline, and role comparisons.
How to Become a Mortician
Education, apprenticeship, exams, license steps, and the standard 3-5 year path.
How Much Does a Mortician Make?
National mortician salary, hourly pay, BLS wage ranges, funeral director pay context, and 2026 planning data.
Mortician Salary by State
State rankings, job counts, job density, cost-of-living context, and market tradeoffs.
Mortician License Requirements by State
State-by-state education, exam, internship, renewal, and board verification steps.
Mortician Requirements Checklist
Item-by-item education, age, licensing, apprenticeship, exam, background check, and renewal requirements.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Mortician?
Timeline by school, apprenticeship, exam sequence, and state licensing path.
Mortician vs Funeral Director
Role differences, license overlap, salary context, and which title fits your goal.
Mortuary School Finder
Compare ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, degree type, debt, and outcomes.
Your Path to Becoming a Mortician
Follow the 5-step roadmap — or jump to whichever stage matches where you are right now.
STEP 02
Open Salary Calculator →
Check the Money
"How much will I earn — and where?"
See real salary data for 49 states, find the highest-paying markets, and discover which states have the best combination of pay, demand, and opportunity.
STEP 03
Open Market Map →
Find Your Market
"Which state should I target?"
Not all states are equal. Use the market map to spot high-demand, high-pay states with low competition — then confirm with the state rankings.
STEP 04
Open School Finder →
Pick Your School
"Which program fits my budget and goals?"
Compare all 58 ABFSE-accredited programs side by side — tuition, graduate debt, 10-year earnings, and completion rates from College Scorecard.
STEP 05
Open ROI Calculator →
Plan the Finances
"Can I afford it — and when do I break even?"
Run the numbers before you borrow. Calculate your total investment (tuition + lost income), payoff timeline, and 10-year ROI for every career path.
Free Career Planning Tools
Every tool uses public wage, school, licensing, and career data to help you make the next decision.
Salary Calculator
Select your state, see P10–P90 salary range instantly.
Licensing Wizard
Pick a state and see education, exam, apprenticeship, and renewal signals.
Career ROI Calculator
Enter your current pay — see breakeven year and 10-year ROI.
School Finder
Filter and compare 58 ABFSE programs on cost and outcomes.
Best States Ranker
49 states scored on salary, demand, and market opportunity.
Debt Payoff Calculator
Pick your school and work state — see your payoff timeline.
Market Opportunity Map
Interactive US map showing where the jobs and money are.
Need a plan?
Use the tools for free, then decide if you need Pro or a written report
Start with the salary calculator, school finder, and ROI calculator. If the decision still feels unclear, compare Pro access or request a personalized deep report.