California Median
$50,750
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $55,010
State Rank
#26 of 48
2,240 employed here
How much do Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers make in California?
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers in California take home a median of $50,750 annually — roughly $24.40 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $55,010.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $37,030 while the top 10% make $77,850 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,320 and $61,340 a year.
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,030 | $17.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,320 | $21.31 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,750 | $24.40 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,340 | $29.49 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,850 | $37.43 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 26th out of 48 states and territories for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers salary in other states
Delaware $81,530Utah $72,800Illinois $69,600New Jersey $69,110Nebraska $64,310Iowa $63,700Pennsylvania $63,580New York $63,090Massachusetts $62,120Indiana $60,890Maine $60,880Colorado $60,850North Carolina $60,730Michigan $60,450Idaho $60,250North Dakota $59,760Connecticut $59,710Washington $59,700Kansas $58,580Wisconsin $58,250Maryland $58,060Ohio $57,800New Hampshire $57,630Wyoming $55,570Rhode Island $55,420New Mexico $50,380Georgia $49,990Minnesota $49,760Vermont $48,740Oregon $48,630Florida $48,510Mississippi $48,350West Virginia $47,960South Dakota $47,840Oklahoma $47,780Louisiana $46,730Texas $46,630Hawaii $46,310Tennessee $46,180Alabama $44,930Nevada $43,940Montana $43,680Kentucky $43,320Missouri $42,940Arizona $41,870South Carolina $40,020Arkansas $36,120
Working as Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers in California
Nationally, about 25,000 people work as Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($50,750) 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 do Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers make in California?
The median Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers salary in California is $50,750 per year, or about $24.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,030 at the entry level to $77,850 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers about 8% less than the national median of $55,010. California ranks 26th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,750 a year. About 2,240 Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers are employed in California. 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 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 Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers 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.