Crematory Operator Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Crematory Operators in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$41,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $43,650
State Rank
#15 of 24
150 employed here

How much does a Crematory Operator make in North Carolina?

Crematory Operators in North Carolina take home a median of $41,350 annually — roughly $19.88 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $43,650.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $34,020 while the top 10% make $49,710 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,970 and $48,300 a year.

Crematory Operator salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,020$16.36
25th percentile (early career)$35,970$17.29
50th percentile (median)$41,350$19.88
75th percentile (experienced)$48,300$23.22
90th percentile (top earners)$49,710$23.90

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 15th out of 24 states and territories for Crematory Operator pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Wisconsin$64,220
2Massachusetts$56,050
3Washington$53,580
4Colorado$52,060
5Delaware$50,320

Working as a Crematory Operator in North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($41,350) 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 North Carolina?
The median Crematory Operator salary in North Carolina is $41,350 per year, or about $19.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,020 at the entry level to $49,710 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Crematory Operators about 5% less than the national median of $43,650. North Carolina ranks 15th out of 24 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Crematory Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $41,350 a year. About 150 Crematory Operators are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.