California Median
$49,780
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $43,650
State Rank
#7 of 24
240 employed here
How much does a Crematory Operator make in California?
Crematory Operators in California take home a median of $49,780 annually — roughly $23.93 an hour — which runs 14% above the national median of $43,650.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $44,030 while the top 10% make $67,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,680 and $60,190 a year.
Crematory Operator salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,030 | $21.17 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,680 | $22.44 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,780 | $23.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,190 | $28.94 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,190 | $32.30 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 24 states and territories for Crematory Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Crematory Operator salary in other states
Wisconsin $64,220Massachusetts $56,050Washington $53,580Colorado $52,060Delaware $50,320Arizona $49,970Pennsylvania $47,980Connecticut $47,160Kansas $46,490Nevada $46,190West Virginia $43,840Ohio $43,530Illinois $41,740North Carolina $41,350Michigan $40,970Indiana $40,650Florida $38,710Kentucky $37,740Oregon $37,020Tennessee $35,880Iowa $35,120Alabama $33,840Texas $33,270
Working as a Crematory Operator in California
Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Crematory Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($49,780) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Crematory Operator make in California?
The median Crematory Operator salary in California is $49,780 per year, or about $23.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,030 at the entry level to $67,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Crematory Operators about 14% more than the national median of $43,650. California ranks 7th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Crematory Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,780 a year. About 240 Crematory Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Crematory Operator salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.