Tennessee employs 550 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $46,180 — 16% below the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $46,180 (16% below national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $49,080
- Salary range: $33,600 (P10) to $68,990 (P90)
- Employment: 550 jobs | Location Quotient: 1.04 — above average demand
- Avg burial cost: $8,159 | Avg cremation: $5,922
- Cremation rate: 50% — 50% of families choose traditional burial
Tennessee Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | Tennessee | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $33,600 | $33,350 | +$250 |
| P25 | $41,600 | $42,430 | $-830 |
| Median (P50) | $46,180 | $55,010 | $-8,830 |
| Mean | $49,080 | $58,160 | $-9,080 |
| P75 | $50,180 | $72,010 | $-21,830 |
| P90 (Top) | $68,990 | $88,620 | $-19,630 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($33,600) and P90 ($68,990) is $35,390, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 1.04 — above average demand. This means Tennessee has a higher concentration of mortician jobs per capita than the average state — a positive signal for job seekers.
With 550 employed morticians, Tennessee ranks as a mid-size market for mortician employment.
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 Tennessee is $8,159, while the average cremation service costs $5,922. Service costs here are below the national average, which may correlate with lower salary levels.
Education & Schools
Tennessee has 2 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 Tennessee? Here’s the metro-level data:
| City | Est. Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville | $45,805 | -18% |
Source: PayScale 2026 city data. National avg $55,860.
See the full city salary rankings (click “By City” tab).
Is Tennessee a Good State for Morticians?
Tennessee has strong demand but lower pay. The LQ of 1.04 indicates healthy job density, but the $46,180 median trails the national average.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in Kentucky — $43,320 median
- Mortician Salary in Missouri — $42,940 median
- Mortician Salary in Arkansas — $36,120 median
- Mortician Salary in Mississippi — $48,350 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in Tennessee?
Morticians in Tennessee earn a median salary of $46,180 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $33,600 at the 10th percentile to $68,990 at the 90th percentile.
Is Tennessee a good state for morticians?
Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has 2 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 Tennessee
- Tennessee Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for Tennessee
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in Tennessee
- Best States Ranker — see where Tennessee ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states