Kentucky employs 470 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $43,320 — 21% below the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $43,320 (21% below national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $43,130
- Salary range: $27,520 (P10) to $61,230 (P90)
- Employment: 470 jobs | Location Quotient: 1.44 — above average demand
- Avg burial cost: $8,393 | Avg cremation: $6,114
- Cremation rate: 50% — 50% of families choose traditional burial
Kentucky Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | Kentucky | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $27,520 | $33,350 | $-5,830 |
| P25 | $29,730 | $42,430 | $-12,700 |
| Median (P50) | $43,320 | $55,010 | $-11,690 |
| Mean | $43,130 | $58,160 | $-15,030 |
| P75 | $50,530 | $72,010 | $-21,480 |
| P90 (Top) | $61,230 | $88,620 | $-27,390 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($27,520) and P90 ($61,230) is $33,710, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 1.44 — above average demand. This means Kentucky has a higher concentration of mortician jobs per capita than the average state — a positive signal for job seekers.
With 470 employed morticians, Kentucky 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 50%, meaning about half of families still choose traditional services — a balanced market.
The average cost of a burial funeral in Kentucky is $8,393, while the average cremation service costs $6,114. Service costs here are below the national average, which may correlate with lower salary levels.
Education & Schools
There are no ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs in Kentucky. Students must attend school in another state and return to complete state-specific licensing requirements.
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 Kentucky? Here’s the metro-level data:
| City | Est. Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $44,688 | -20% |
Source: PayScale 2026 city data. National avg $55,860.
See the full city salary rankings (click “By City” tab).
Is Kentucky a Good State for Morticians?
Kentucky has strong demand but lower pay. The LQ of 1.44 indicates healthy job density, but the $43,320 median trails the national average.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in Indiana — $60,890 median
- Mortician Salary in Ohio — $57,800 median
- Mortician Salary in West Virginia — $47,960 median
- Mortician Salary in Tennessee — $46,180 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in Kentucky?
Morticians in Kentucky earn a median salary of $43,320 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $27,520 at the 10th percentile to $61,230 at the 90th percentile.
Is Kentucky a good state for morticians?
Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky has no ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs in the dataset, so students usually need to compare out-of-state options. Use the School Finder to compare tuition, debt, completion rates, and earnings outcomes.
Plan Your Career in Kentucky
- Kentucky Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for Kentucky
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in Kentucky
- Best States Ranker — see where Kentucky ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states