Washington employs 400 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $59,700 — 9% above the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $59,700 (9% above national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $61,710
- Salary range: $45,290 (P10) to $77,470 (P90)
- Employment: 400 jobs | Location Quotient: 0.71 — below average demand
- Avg burial cost: $7,656 | Avg cremation: $5,302
- Cremation rate: 80% — 20% of families choose traditional burial
Washington Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | Washington | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $45,290 | $33,350 | +$11,940 |
| P25 | $48,170 | $42,430 | +$5,740 |
| Median (P50) | $59,700 | $55,010 | +$4,690 |
| Mean | $61,710 | $58,160 | +$3,550 |
| P75 | $72,160 | $72,010 | +$150 |
| P90 (Top) | $77,470 | $88,620 | $-11,150 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($45,290) and P90 ($77,470) is $32,180, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 0.71 — below average demand. This means Washington has fewer mortician jobs per capita than average — competition for positions may be tighter.
With 400 employed morticians, Washington ranks as a smaller market, though job stability in funeral service tends to be high regardless of state size.
Funeral Industry Market
With an 80% cremation rate, most families choose cremation over traditional burial. Morticians here should expect more cremation-focused work and potentially lower demand for embalming and viewing services.
The average cost of a burial funeral in Washington is $7,656, while the average cremation service costs $5,302. Service costs here are below the national average, which may correlate with lower salary levels.
Education & Schools
Washington 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.
City Salary Breakdown
How much do morticians earn in specific cities across Washington? Here’s the metro-level data:
| City | Est. Avg Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $64,239 | +15% |
| Tacoma | $40,778 | -27% |
Source: PayScale 2026 city data. National avg $55,860.
See the full city salary rankings (click “By City” tab).
Is Washington a Good State for Morticians?
Washington pays well but has moderate demand. The $59,700 median is above average, but the LQ of 0.71 suggests job density is not as strong.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in Oregon — $48,630 median
- Mortician Salary in Idaho — $60,250 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
- North Dakota — $59,760
- Connecticut — $59,710
- Kansas — $58,580
- Wisconsin — $58,250
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in Washington?
Morticians in Washington earn a median salary of $59,700 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $45,290 at the 10th percentile to $77,470 at the 90th percentile.
Is Washington a good state for morticians?
Washington can be a good state financially because median pay is above average, though job concentration is more moderate.
Are there mortuary schools in Washington?
Washington 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 Washington
- Washington Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for Washington
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in Washington
- Best States Ranker — see where Washington ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states