Arizona employs 360 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $41,870 — 24% below the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $41,870 (24% below national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $44,350
- Salary range: $36,260 (P10) to $55,960 (P90)
- Employment: 360 jobs | Location Quotient: 0.70 — below average demand
- Avg burial cost: $7,776 | Avg cremation: $5,367
- Cremation rate: 72% — 28% of families choose traditional burial
Arizona Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | Arizona | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $36,260 | $33,350 | +$2,910 |
| P25 | $37,470 | $42,430 | $-4,960 |
| Median (P50) | $41,870 | $55,010 | $-13,140 |
| Mean | $44,350 | $58,160 | $-13,810 |
| P75 | $46,200 | $72,010 | $-25,810 |
| P90 (Top) | $55,960 | $88,620 | $-32,660 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($36,260) and P90 ($55,960) is $19,700, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 0.70 — below average demand. This means Arizona has fewer mortician jobs per capita than average — competition for positions may be tighter.
With 360 employed morticians, Arizona ranks as a smaller market, though job stability in funeral service tends to be high regardless of state size.
Funeral Industry Market
With an 72% cremation rate, most families choose cremation over traditional burial. Morticians here should expect more cremation-focused work and potentially lower demand for embalming and viewing services.
The average cost of a burial funeral in Arizona is $7,776, while the average cremation service costs $5,367. Service costs here are below the national average, which may correlate with lower salary levels.
Education & Schools
Arizona has 1 ABFSE-accredited program. Limited local options mean some students may look out of state for better tuition or fit.
Use the School Finder to compare all 58 ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, debt, and outcomes.
Is Arizona a Good State for Morticians?
Arizona has both below-average pay and below-average demand. The $41,870 median and 0.70 LQ suggest this may not be the strongest market, though individual opportunities can still be excellent depending on location and employer.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in Nevada — $43,940 median
- Mortician Salary in Utah — $72,800 median
- Mortician Salary in Colorado — $60,850 median
- Mortician Salary in New Mexico — $50,380 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
- Kentucky — $43,320
- Missouri — $42,940
- South Carolina — $40,020
- Arkansas — $36,120
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in Arizona?
Morticians in Arizona earn a median salary of $41,870 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $36,260 at the 10th percentile to $55,960 at the 90th percentile.
Is Arizona a good state for morticians?
Arizona is a more challenging market because both median pay and job concentration are below the national benchmark.
Are there mortuary schools in Arizona?
Arizona has 1 ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program in the dataset. Use the School Finder to compare tuition, debt, completion rates, and earnings outcomes.
Plan Your Career in Arizona
- Arizona Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for Arizona
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in Arizona
- Best States Ranker — see where Arizona ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states
Data Sources and Method
- Salary data: BLS OEWS May 2025 for SOC 39-4031, Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers.
- Local context: project salary-tool.json fields for employment, location quotient, funeral cost, cremation rate, and ABFSE school count where available.
- Method: state pages compare median, mean, P10-P90 wage range, employment, and location quotient against national BLS benchmarks.
- Limits: BLS suppresses some state estimates when publication standards are not met; missing or suppressed fields are not estimated.