Iowa Median
$39,490
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-33% vs US median
US median $58,780
State Rank
#28 of 28
state estimate
How much does an Embalmer make in Iowa?
Embalmers in Iowa take home a median of $39,490 annually — roughly $18.99 an hour — which runs 33% below the national median of $58,780.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $31,810 while the top 10% make $78,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,610 and $75,660 a year.
Embalmer salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,810 | $15.29 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,610 | $16.64 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,490 | $18.99 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $75,660 | $36.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,420 | $37.70 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 28th out of 28 states and territories for Embalmer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Embalmer salary in other states
Ohio $71,550Pennsylvania $69,950North Carolina $68,550Missouri $66,490Virginia $63,810Kansas $63,160Indiana $62,400South Carolina $61,820Illinois $61,730Rhode Island $60,310Florida $60,170California $60,060Mississippi $58,900Arkansas $58,250Texas $57,350Oregon $57,170Colorado $57,100Tennessee $55,170Georgia $55,000Louisiana $54,890Massachusetts $54,320West Virginia $54,060Alabama $53,080Washington $50,610Kentucky $49,860Oklahoma $49,120New Mexico $45,340
Working as an Embalmer in Iowa
Nationally, about 4,000 people work as Embalmers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Iowa pay ($39,490) 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 an Embalmer make in Iowa?
The median Embalmer salary in Iowa is $39,490 per year, or about $18.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,810 at the entry level to $78,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Embalmers about 33% less than the national median of $58,780. Iowa ranks 28th out of 28 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Embalmers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,490 a year. 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 Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Embalmer 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.