North Dakota employs 110 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $59,760 — 9% above the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $59,760 (9% above national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $66,650
- Salary range: $44,700 (P10) to $94,250 (P90)
- Employment: 110 jobs | Location Quotient: 1.55 — significantly above average demand
- Avg burial cost: $8,868 | Avg cremation: $6,791
- Cremation rate: 60% — 40% of families choose traditional burial
North Dakota Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | North Dakota | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $44,700 | $33,350 | +$11,350 |
| P25 | $54,060 | $42,430 | +$11,630 |
| Median (P50) | $59,760 | $55,010 | +$4,750 |
| Mean | $66,650 | $58,160 | +$8,490 |
| P75 | $81,620 | $72,010 | +$9,610 |
| P90 (Top) | $94,250 | $88,620 | +$5,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($44,700) and P90 ($94,250) is $49,550, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 1.55 — significantly above average demand. This means North Dakota has a higher concentration of mortician jobs per capita than the average state — a positive signal for job seekers.
With 110 employed morticians, North Dakota ranks as a smaller market, though job stability in funeral service tends to be high regardless of state size.
Funeral Industry Market
At 60% cremation, the market leans toward simpler services, but 40% of families still choose traditional burial — enough to sustain steady demand.
The average cost of a burial funeral in North Dakota is $8,868, while the average cremation service costs $6,791. These costs are near the national average.
Education & Schools
There are no ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs in North Dakota. 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.
Is North Dakota a Good State for Morticians?
Yes — North Dakota offers above-average pay and above-average demand. With a median of $59,760 and an LQ of 1.55, this is a strong market for morticians.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in Minnesota — $49,760 median
- Mortician Salary in South Dakota — $47,840 median
- Mortician Salary in Montana — $43,680 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
- Michigan — $60,450
- Idaho — $60,250
- Connecticut — $59,710
- Washington — $59,700
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in North Dakota?
Morticians in North Dakota earn a median salary of $59,760 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $44,700 at the 10th percentile to $94,250 at the 90th percentile.
Is North Dakota a good state for morticians?
North Dakota is a strong state for morticians because both pay and job concentration are above average.
Are there mortuary schools in North Dakota?
North Dakota 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 North Dakota
- North Dakota Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for North Dakota
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in North Dakota
- Best States Ranker — see where North Dakota 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.