Morticians in Charlotte, North Carolina earn an estimated average of $45,247 per year — -19% below the national average of $55,860.
Quick Facts
- Estimated avg salary: $45,247 (-19% vs national $55860)
- National average: $55,860 (PayScale 2026)
- National BLS median: $55,010 (BLS OEWS May 2025)
- North Carolina BLS median: $60,730 | Employment: 1,000
Source: PayScale Funeral Director Salary By Location, 2026. City estimate = national avg × city multiplier.
How Charlotte Compares
Charlotte ranks #39 out of 54 cities in our salary comparison. This is -19% below the national average, placing Charlotte in the lower tier of mortician compensation.
| Metro | Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte, NC | $45,247 | -19% |
| National Average | $55,860 | — |
| North Carolina (state BLS median) | $60,730 | +10% vs national |
State Context: North Carolina
The BLS reports a $60,730 median salary for morticians in North Carolina, with 1,000 employed statewide. See the full North Carolina salary guide for percentile breakdowns and demand data.
Education & Schools in North Carolina
North Carolina has ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs. Check the School Finder filtered by North Carolina to see tuition, debt, and earnings data.
Use the School Finder to compare all 58 ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, debt, and outcomes.
Career Tools
- Salary Calculator — look up any state or city
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your breakeven point
- Debt Payoff Calculator — plan your student loan payoff
- Market Map — explore the US funeral industry landscape
Salary in Nearby Cities
- Mortician Salary in Asheville, NC — $57,536
- Mortician Salary in Raleigh, NC — $40,219
Is Charlotte a Good City for Morticians?
Charlotte pays below average for morticians. At $45,247, it is -19% below the national average. The lower cost of living may partially offset the below-average salary — use the ROI Calculator to model your net position.
How to Use This City Estimate
Use this page as a planning estimate, not as a guaranteed wage quote. City salary pages combine PayScale location data with state-level BLS context because official BLS metro wage tables are not available for every mortician market. Treat the city average as a directional benchmark, then compare it with the state median, nearby cities, commute options, and the type of funeral home you plan to work for. Entry-level apprentices may start below the city average, while licensed funeral directors, embalmers, managers, and high-call-volume locations may pay more. Before relocating, compare expected rent, transportation, licensing transfer rules, and apprenticeship availability against the salary difference.
For a practical decision, pair the salary estimate with a monthly budget. Include rent, insurance, commuting, student loan payments, licensing fees, and whether the job includes overtime, removals, on-call pay, or commission. A city with a higher average salary can still produce a weaker net outcome if housing or travel costs absorb the raise. A lower-paying city may be viable if it offers faster apprenticeship access, lower debt, or a clearer path into management.
Use the estimate to set interview expectations, then verify with current local job postings. Recheck the numbers before accepting an offer or relocating. If possible, compare at least three local postings or employer conversations.
Data Sources and Method
- City salary source: PayScale Funeral Director Salary By Location, 2026.
- State benchmark: BLS OEWS May 2025 for SOC 39-4031 where state data is available.
- Method: city estimates use the PayScale national average multiplied by the city salary multiplier in the local dataset.
- Limits: city figures are planning estimates, not official BLS metro wage tables. Verify current offers with local employers.
Data: PayScale 2026 (city avg), BLS OEWS May 2025 (national/state). Updated June 2026.