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
How to Use This State Salary Guide
Use California’s salary page as a market benchmark before comparing schools, apprenticeships, or job offers. The statewide median can hide major differences between coastal metro areas, inland communities, corporate funeral homes, family-owned firms, cremation-heavy providers, and roles that include embalming, removals, arrangements, or management duties. Compare the median with the P10-P90 range, then adjust for housing, commuting, licensing fees, and whether the employer offers overtime or on-call pay. If you are still in school, model tuition and lost income against the salary range rather than assuming the median will be your first-year wage.
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: salary pages compare median, mean, P10-P90 wage range, employment, and location quotient against national BLS benchmarks.
- Limits: individual offers can differ because benefits, on-call pay, bonuses, ownership, and local employer mix are not fully captured in BLS wage tables.
Next Step: Compare Your Options
Use the free Salary Calculator to check pay in your target state, then compare programs in the School Finder and run the Career ROI Calculator before you commit to a school or relocation plan.
If you want a more guided path, compare Free vs Pro or request a personalized deep report during the launch period.