Mortician employment is projected to grow 3% from 2024 to 2034 — exactly in line with the national average for all occupations. That’s not exciting growth, but it signals something more valuable for career planning: stability.
This page covers the BLS 2024–2034 projections, what’s driving demand, where the jobs are, and what the outlook means practically for someone considering this career.
Key Numbers at a Glance
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Employment (2024) | 27,500 |
| Projected employment (2034) | 28,400 |
| Growth rate (2024–2034) | 3% |
| Annual job openings (avg) | ~5,800 |
| National average growth rate | 4% |
| Funeral service workers overall | 4% growth |
The 3% growth rate is slightly below the 4% national average, but the 5,800 annual openings is the more important number for job seekers. Most of those openings come from retirements and workers leaving the field — not net new positions.
What’s Driving Demand
Positive factors
Aging population: The U.S. population aged 65+ is growing rapidly. As baby boomers age, the number of deaths per year will increase through the 2030s. This is the primary long-term driver of funeral service demand.
Pre-need arrangements: More families are pre-planning funeral services, which requires morticians and funeral directors to handle consultations and paperwork well in advance of death. This expands the workload beyond just immediate-need cases.
Memorial service complexity: Even as cremation rates rise, families increasingly want personalized memorial services — which still require professional coordination and, in many cases, preparation work.
Headwinds
Rising cremation rates: The cremation rate in the U.S. has been rising steadily and now exceeds 60%. Cremation typically requires less preparation work than traditional burial, which reduces per-case labor demand. This is the main reason growth is 3% rather than higher.
Consolidation: Large funeral service corporations (Service Corporation International, Dignity Memorial, Park Lawn) continue to acquire independent funeral homes. Consolidation can reduce total headcount as operations are streamlined.
Direct disposition services: Low-cost direct cremation services (no viewing, no service) are growing in popularity, reducing demand for full-service morticians in some markets.
Annual Job Openings: The Real Opportunity
The 5,800 annual openings figure is more useful than the growth rate for understanding actual job availability.
Where openings come from:
- Retirements (the workforce is aging)
- Career changers leaving the field
- New positions from modest growth
With 27,500 total employed morticians and ~5,800 openings per year, roughly 1 in 5 positions turns over annually — a relatively high churn rate that creates consistent entry opportunities.
Where the Jobs Are
States with the most openings (by employment volume)
| State | Jobs | Median Salary | Job Density (LQ) |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,670 | $47,170 | 0.89 |
| Ohio | 1,530 | $49,360 | 1.66 |
| Texas | 1,530 | $36,760 | 0.66 |
| New York | 1,390 | $62,590 | 0.87 |
| Florida | 1,160 | $58,960 | 0.71 |
Best states for new graduates (volume + pay)
If you’re flexible about location, these states offer the best combination of job availability and above-median pay:
| State | Jobs | Median | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 1,390 | $62,590 | Large market, strong pay |
| Illinois | 1,120 | $60,680 | Large market, above median |
| Pennsylvania | 1,120 | $55,940 | Large market, above median |
| Ohio | 1,530 | $49,360 | Most jobs per capita, stable |
| Iowa | 560 | $63,770 | Highest job density + good pay |
Is Mortician a Stable Career?
By most measures, yes — with important caveats.
Stability factors:
- Death is not cyclical — demand doesn’t collapse in recessions
- Licensing requirements create a barrier to entry that protects incumbents
- The 5,800 annual openings provide consistent entry points
- Most positions are full-time with benefits (76% have health insurance)
Instability factors:
- Cremation trend is structural, not temporary — it will continue to reduce per-case preparation demand
- Corporate consolidation can eliminate positions at acquired funeral homes
- Geographic concentration matters — rural areas may have limited opportunities
- On-call requirements and irregular hours create burnout risk
Bottom line: Mortician is a stable career in the sense that demand won’t disappear. It’s not a growth career in the sense of rapidly expanding opportunities. For someone who values predictability over upside, it’s a reasonable choice.
Comparison: Funeral Service Occupations Outlook
| Occupation | 2024 Jobs | 2034 Projection | Growth | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morticians (39-4031) | 27,500 | 28,400 | 3% | ~5,800 |
| Funeral Home Managers (11-9061) | 32,100 | 33,400 | 4% | ~4,200 |
| All Funeral Service Workers | 59,600 | 62,000 | 4% | ~10,000 |
| All U.S. Occupations | — | — | 4% | — |
Funeral home managers are projected to grow slightly faster (4%) than morticians (3%), which aligns with the broader trend toward more service coordination and less preparation-only work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a shortage of morticians?
Not nationally, but there are regional shortages — particularly in rural areas and some Midwestern states. The 5,800 annual openings suggest consistent demand, but competition for positions in desirable urban markets can be significant.
Will AI or automation affect mortician jobs?
Minimally. The core work — embalming, restorative art, family communication — requires physical presence, emotional intelligence, and licensed expertise. Administrative tasks (paperwork, scheduling) may be partially automated, but the hands-on work is not at risk in the near term.
Is funeral service growing or shrinking?
Growing slowly. The 3–4% projected growth through 2034 means modest net job creation. The more significant driver of openings is workforce turnover, not growth.
What’s the long-term outlook beyond 2034?
The aging of the U.S. population will continue to drive death rates higher through the 2040s, which supports long-term demand. The cremation trend will continue to moderate per-case labor intensity. Net effect: stable employment with modest growth, not a boom.
Know What the Market Pays in Your Target State
Job outlook tells you where openings are. The Mortician Salary Toolkit adds the salary side — every percentile for all 50 states, COL-adjusted real purchasing power, and negotiation scripts to maximize your pay when you land the role.
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Data Source
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook (2024–2034) — Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers; Funeral Home Managers
- BLS OEWS May 2024 — Employment and wage data by state
→ See also: Mortician Salary Guide | How to Become a Mortician | Is Becoming a Mortician Worth It? | Mortician Salary by State