North Carolina employs 1,000 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $60,730 — 10% above the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $60,730 (10% above national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $62,110
- Salary range: $29,950 (P10) to $84,920 (P90)
- Employment: 1,000 jobs | Location Quotient: 1.25 — above average demand
- Avg burial cost: $8,136 | Avg cremation: $5,888
- Cremation rate: 51% — 49% of families choose traditional burial
North Carolina Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | North Carolina | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $29,950 | $33,350 | $-3,400 |
| P25 | $48,520 | $42,430 | +$6,090 |
| Median (P50) | $60,730 | $55,010 | +$5,720 |
| Mean | $62,110 | $58,160 | +$3,950 |
| P75 | $75,390 | $72,010 | +$3,380 |
| P90 (Top) | $84,920 | $88,620 | $-3,700 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($29,950) and P90 ($84,920) is $54,970, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 1.25 — above average demand. This means North Carolina has a higher concentration of mortician jobs per capita than the average state — a positive signal for job seekers.
With 1,000 employed morticians, North Carolina ranks among the larger state employers in this field.
Funeral Industry Market
The cremation rate is 51%, meaning about half of families still choose traditional services — a balanced market.
The average cost of a burial funeral in North Carolina is $8,136, while the average cremation service costs $5,888. Service costs here are below the national average, which may correlate with lower salary levels.
Education & Schools
North Carolina has 1 ABFSE-accredited program. Limited local options mean some students may look out of state for better tuition or fit.
Use the School Finder to compare all 58 ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, debt, and outcomes.
Is North Carolina a Good State for Morticians?
Yes — North Carolina offers above-average pay and above-average demand. With a median of $60,730 and an LQ of 1.25, this is a strong market for morticians.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in South Carolina — $40,020 median
- Mortician Salary in Georgia — $49,990 median
- Mortician Salary in Tennessee — $46,180 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in North Carolina?
Morticians in North Carolina earn a median salary of $60,730 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $29,950 at the 10th percentile to $84,920 at the 90th percentile.
Is North Carolina a good state for morticians?
North Carolina is a strong state for morticians because both pay and job concentration are above average.
Are there mortuary schools in North Carolina?
North Carolina has 1 ABFSE-accredited mortuary science program in the dataset. Use the School Finder to compare tuition, debt, completion rates, and earnings outcomes.
Plan Your Career in North Carolina
- North Carolina Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for North Carolina
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in North Carolina
- Best States Ranker — see where North Carolina ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states
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: state pages compare median, mean, P10-P90 wage range, employment, and location quotient against national BLS benchmarks.
- Limits: BLS suppresses some state estimates when publication standards are not met; missing or suppressed fields are not estimated.