Morticians in Portland, Oregon earn an estimated average of $29,606 per year — -47% below the national average of $55,860.
Quick Facts
- Estimated avg salary: $29,606 (-47% vs national $55860)
- National average: $55,860 (PayScale 2026)
- National BLS median: $55,010 (BLS OEWS May 2025)
- Oregon BLS median: $48,630 | Employment: 220
Source: PayScale Funeral Director Salary By Location, 2026. City estimate = national avg × city multiplier.
How Portland Compares
Portland ranks #54 out of 54 cities in our salary comparison. This is -47% below the national average, placing Portland in the lower tier of mortician compensation.
| Metro | Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Portland, OR | $29,606 | -47% |
| National Average | $55,860 | — |
| Oregon (state BLS median) | $48,630 | -12% vs national |
State Context: Oregon
The BLS reports a $48,630 median salary for morticians in Oregon, with 220 employed statewide. See the full Oregon salary guide for percentile breakdowns and demand data.
Education & Schools in Oregon
Oregon has ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs. Check the School Finder filtered by Oregon 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 Eugene, OR — $45,247
Is Portland a Good City for Morticians?
Portland pays below average for morticians. At $29,606, it is -47% 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.