Crematory Operator Salary: How Much Do They Make? (2026)

Median pay, hourly rates, salary ranges, and best-paying states for Crematory Operators — from official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Official BLS wage data · Unknown vintage
Median Salary
$43,650
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$20.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$62,460
entry level starts ~$33,270
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 3,000 employed

How much does a Crematory Operator make?

The median pay for a Crematory Operator in the United States is $43,650 per year — about $20.99 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $33,270, while the most experienced Crematory Operators in the top 10% earn $62,460.

That is $17,740 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).

Crematory Operator salary range by percentile

Half of all Crematory Operators earn between $37,020 and $50,380 a year.

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$33,270$16.00
25th percentile (early career)$37,020$17.80
50th percentile (median)$43,650$20.99
75th percentile (experienced)$50,380$24.22
90th percentile (top earners)$62,460$30.03

Highest-paying states for Crematory Operator

Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Wisconsin leads the country for Crematory Operator pay at $64,220 a year, followed by Massachusetts ($56,050) and Washington ($53,580). At the other end, Texas posts the lowest median at $33,270 — a gap of $30,950 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.

#StateMedian salaryHourlyvs national
1Wisconsin$64,220$30.88+47%
2Massachusetts$56,050$26.95+28%
3Washington$53,580$25.76+23%
4Colorado$52,060$25.03+19%
5Delaware$50,320$24.19+15%

Workforce and education

About 3,000 people work as Crematory Operators in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $45,670 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Crematory Operator make in the United States?
The median Crematory Operator salary in the United States is $43,650 per year, or about $20.99 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $33,270, while the top 10% of earners make $62,460 or more.
How does Crematory Operator pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Crematory Operator median of $43,650 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Crematory Operators the most?
Wisconsin is the highest-paying state for Crematory Operators, with a median salary of $64,220 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Crematory Operator?
Becoming a Crematory Operator typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Crematory Operators work in the United States?
About 3,000 people were employed as Crematory Operators in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.

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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.