Illinois employs 1,320 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $69,600 — 27% above the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $69,600 (27% above national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $74,280
- Salary range: $42,740 (P10) to $104,570 (P90) — top earners break six figures
- Employment: 1,320 jobs | Location Quotient: 1.34 — above average demand
- Avg burial cost: $9,184 | Avg cremation: $6,721
- Cremation rate: 52% — 48% of families choose traditional burial
Illinois Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | Illinois | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $42,740 | $33,350 | +$9,390 |
| P25 | $48,340 | $42,430 | +$5,910 |
| Median (P50) | $69,600 | $55,010 | +$14,590 |
| Mean | $74,280 | $58,160 | +$16,120 |
| P75 | $100,410 | $72,010 | +$28,400 |
| P90 (Top) | $104,570 | $88,620 | +$15,950 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($42,740) and P90 ($104,570) is $61,830, showing wider salary variation than the national range.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 1.34 — above average demand. This means Illinois has a higher concentration of mortician jobs per capita than the average state — a positive signal for job seekers.
With 1,320 employed morticians, Illinois ranks among the larger state employers in this field.
Funeral Industry Market
The cremation rate is 52%, meaning about half of families still choose traditional services — a balanced market.
The average cost of a burial funeral in Illinois is $9,184, while the average cremation service costs $6,721. These are among the higher service costs nationally, which can support higher mortician compensation.
Education & Schools
Illinois has 4 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.
City Salary Breakdown
How much do morticians earn in specific cities across Illinois? Here’s the metro-level data:
| City | Est. Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago | $62,563 | +12% |
Source: PayScale 2026 city data. National avg $55,860.
See the full city salary rankings (click “By City” tab).
Is Illinois a Good State for Morticians?
Yes — Illinois offers above-average pay and above-average demand. With a median of $69,600 and an LQ of 1.34, this is a strong market for morticians.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in Wisconsin — $58,250 median
- Mortician Salary in Iowa — $63,700 median
- Mortician Salary in Missouri — $42,940 median
- Mortician Salary in Kentucky — $43,320 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
- Delaware — $81,530
- Utah — $72,800
- New Jersey — $69,110
- Nebraska — $64,310
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in Illinois?
Morticians in Illinois earn a median salary of $69,600 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $42,740 at the 10th percentile to $104,570 at the 90th percentile.
Is Illinois a good state for morticians?
Illinois is a strong state for morticians because both pay and job concentration are above average.
Are there mortuary schools in Illinois?
Illinois has 4 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 Illinois
- Illinois Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for Illinois
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in Illinois
- Best States Ranker — see where Illinois ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states