Arkansas employs 360 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $36,120 — 34% below the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $36,120 (34% below national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $41,510
- Salary range: $30,540 (P10) to $60,040 (P90)
- Employment: 360 jobs | Location Quotient: 1.69 — significantly above average demand
- Avg burial cost: $7,668 | Avg cremation: $5,489
- Cremation rate: 45% — 55% of families choose traditional burial
Arkansas Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | Arkansas | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $30,540 | $33,350 | $-2,810 |
| P25 | $33,450 | $42,430 | $-8,980 |
| Median (P50) | $36,120 | $55,010 | $-18,890 |
| Mean | $41,510 | $58,160 | $-16,650 |
| P75 | $49,200 | $72,010 | $-22,810 |
| P90 (Top) | $60,040 | $88,620 | $-28,580 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($30,540) and P90 ($60,040) is $29,500, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 1.69 — significantly above average demand. This means Arkansas has a higher concentration of mortician jobs per capita than the average state — a positive signal for job seekers.
With 360 employed morticians, Arkansas ranks as a smaller market, though job stability in funeral service tends to be high regardless of state size.
Funeral Industry Market
The cremation rate is 45%, meaning about half of families still choose traditional services — a balanced market.
The average cost of a burial funeral in Arkansas is $7,668, while the average cremation service costs $5,489. Service costs here are below the national average, which may correlate with lower salary levels.
Education & Schools
Arkansas has 2 ABFSE-accredited programs, giving students multiple options to compare tuition, format, and outcomes.
Use the School Finder to compare all 58 ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, debt, and outcomes.
Is Arkansas a Good State for Morticians?
Arkansas has strong demand but lower pay. The LQ of 1.69 indicates healthy job density, but the $36,120 median trails the national average.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in Missouri — $42,940 median
- Mortician Salary in Tennessee — $46,180 median
- Mortician Salary in Mississippi — $48,350 median
- Mortician Salary in Louisiana — $46,730 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
- Arizona — $41,870
- South Carolina — $40,020
- Puerto Rico — $25,630
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in Arkansas?
Morticians in Arkansas earn a median salary of $36,120 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $30,540 at the 10th percentile to $60,040 at the 90th percentile.
Is Arkansas a good state for morticians?
Arkansas has healthy job concentration, but pay is below the national median, so it may be better for job availability than earnings.
Are there mortuary schools in Arkansas?
Arkansas has 2 ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs in the dataset. Use the School Finder to compare tuition, debt, completion rates, and earnings outcomes.
Plan Your Career in Arkansas
- Arkansas Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for Arkansas
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in Arkansas
- Best States Ranker — see where Arkansas ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states