California has one of the largest mortician job markets in the country, with 2,240 employed morticians as of BLS May 2025. The state median is $50,750, which is 8% below the national median of $55,010.
2-Minute Version
- California median: $50,750 vs. national median $55,010 — 8% below
- 2,240 jobs — one of the largest state markets, but LQ 0.76 indicates below-average concentration
- P90 is $77,850 — top earners do better, but still trail several smaller states
- Cremation rate: 66% — California leans heavily toward cremation-focused service models
- Schools: 2 ABFSE programs — local supply can reduce wage pressure
California Mortician Salary: Full Data
| Metric | California | National |
|---|---|---|
| P10 | $37,030 | $33,350 |
| P25 | $44,320 | $42,430 |
| Median (P50) | $50,750 | $55,010 |
| Mean | $56,130 | $58,160 |
| P75 | $61,340 | $72,010 |
| P90 | $77,850 | $88,620 |
| Jobs | 2,240 | 25,100 |
| LQ | 0.76 | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
California is a high-volume but competitive funeral service market. The large population creates many jobs, but the location quotient below 1.00 means mortician jobs are not unusually concentrated relative to the overall workforce. Students should compare school cost carefully and use ROI math before assuming California wages will offset high living costs.
City Salary Breakdown
How much do morticians earn in specific cities across California? Here’s the metro-level data:
| City | Est. Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $42,454 | -24% |
| Sacramento | $41,895 | -25% |
Source: PayScale 2026 city data. National avg $55,860.
See the full city salary rankings (click “By City” tab).
Plan Your Career in California
- Use the Salary Calculator — see the full percentile range prefilled for California
- Run the ROI Calculator — model tuition, lost income, and 10-year return
- Compare schools — find ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, debt, and earnings
- View the Market Map — compare demand and opportunity nationwide
- Compare all states — see how California ranks