California has the most mortician jobs of any state — 2,670 employed as of BLS May 2024. It also pays below the national median. That combination makes California one of the most counterintuitive states for funeral service careers: high volume, low relative pay, and a cost of living that makes the gap even more significant in real terms.
2-Minute Version
- California median: $47,170 vs. national median $49,800 — 5% below average (BLS May 2024)
- 2,670 jobs — most of any state, but Location Quotient of only 0.89 (below-average density)
- P90 is $76,070 — top earners in California do well, but the median is suppressed
- After adjusting for cost of living, California morticians have some of the lowest real purchasing power of any state
- Bay Area and LA pay significantly more than the state median — city matters more than state here
California Mortician Salary: Full Data
| Metric | California | National |
|---|---|---|
| P10 | $35,200 | $31,470 |
| P25 | $37,660 | $38,470 |
| Median (P50) | $47,170 | $49,800 |
| Mean | $53,300 | $56,340 |
| P75 | $60,360 | $67,140 |
| P90 | $76,070 | $85,940 |
| Jobs | 2,670 | 27,500 |
| LQ | 0.89 | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
California’s P25 ($37,660) is actually below the national P25 ($38,470) — meaning entry-level morticians in California earn less than entry-level morticians nationally. The P90 ($76,070) is also below the national P90 ($85,940). California underperforms at every percentile.
Why California Pays Below the National Median
1. High supply of licensed morticians
California’s large population and numerous ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs (including programs at Cypress College, American River College, and others) produce a steady stream of licensed graduates. More supply of qualified workers = less upward pressure on wages.
With 2,670 employed morticians and a Location Quotient of 0.89, California actually has fewer mortician jobs per worker than the national average — despite having the most jobs in absolute terms. The large overall workforce dilutes the concentration.
2. High cost of living suppresses real wages without raising nominal wages
California’s cost of living index is approximately 140–160 (national average = 100), depending on the region. Employers in California face high operating costs — rent, utilities, regulatory compliance — which limits what they can pay staff.
The result: nominal wages are slightly below the national median, but real purchasing power is dramatically lower. A $47,170 salary in Los Angeles has roughly the same purchasing power as $30,000–$33,000 in Iowa or Ohio.
3. Large corporate funeral home presence with standardized pay scales
California has a significant presence of large corporate funeral chains (Service Corporation International, Dignity Memorial, Neptune Society). Corporate operators tend to set pay based on national or regional benchmarks rather than local market rates — which can suppress wages in high-cost markets where independent operators might pay more to attract talent.
4. High regulatory burden
California has some of the most stringent funeral service regulations in the country, administered by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau. The additional compliance burden increases operating costs for funeral homes, which can limit wage growth.
California Salary by Metro Area
The state median of $47,170 masks significant variation by city. BLS May 2023 metro data (most recent available at metro level) shows:
| Metro Area | Mean Annual Wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward | $58,290 | 310 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $52,380 | 910 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad | ~$50,000–$55,000 | est. |
| Sacramento-Roseville | ~$48,000–$52,000 | est. |
| Fresno | ~$42,000–$46,000 | est. |
| Bakersfield | ~$40,000–$44,000 | est. |
Bay Area morticians earn significantly more than the state median. San Francisco metro mean of $58,290 is 24% above the state median — but still below what you’d earn in Minnesota or Iowa after adjusting for cost of living.
Los Angeles has the most jobs (910 in the metro area) but pays close to the state median. The sheer volume of licensed morticians in LA keeps wages competitive rather than premium.
Cost of Living Adjustment: The Real Picture
The nominal salary gap between California and other states understates the real difference:
| State | Median Salary | COL Index | Real Purchasing Power* |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $47,170 | ~150 | ~$31,400 |
| Iowa | $63,770 | ~88 | ~$72,500 |
| Ohio | $49,360 | ~90 | ~$54,800 |
| National | $49,800 | 100 | $49,800 |
| Delaware | $80,290 | ~105 | ~$76,500 |
*Approximate real purchasing power = (Salary / COL Index) × 100
A California mortician earning $47,170 has roughly the same real purchasing power as an Ohio mortician earning $31,400 — despite Ohio’s nominal salary being higher. Iowa’s combination of above-median pay and below-average cost of living makes it one of the best states for real mortician compensation.
California Licensing Requirements
California has additional licensing requirements beyond the national standard:
- California Funeral Director License — issued by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (CCFB)
- Requires completion of an ABFSE-accredited program
- Apprenticeship: 1 year (California requires fewer cases than some states)
- California Law Exam — in addition to the National Board Exam
- Continuing education: 12 CE hours per 2-year renewal period
California does not have full reciprocity with most other states, which means California-licensed morticians who want to relocate may need to meet additional requirements in their new state.
Should You Work as a Mortician in California?
Reasons to stay/work in California
- 2,670 jobs — the most of any state, meaning consistent openings
- Bay Area and LA pay significantly above the state median
- Career diversity — California’s large market includes corporate chains, independent homes, government positions (medical examiner offices), and academic institutions
- Government positions (county medical examiner, military) pay $88,390+ mean nationally and are well-represented in California
Reasons to consider other states
- Real purchasing power is among the lowest of any state for morticians
- High cost of living means housing, transportation, and healthcare consume a larger share of income
- Iowa, Minnesota, or Ohio offer better real compensation with comparable or better job availability
- No state income tax states (Nevada, Texas, Washington) effectively increase take-home pay — though Texas pays very low wages
The practical recommendation
If you’re already in California and have established roots, the 2,670 jobs provide consistent employment security. If you’re choosing where to start your career and are flexible about location, Iowa (LQ 2.17, $63,770 median, low COL) or Ohio (1,530 jobs, $49,360 median, low COL) offer better real compensation with comparable job availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does California pay morticians less than the national average?
High supply of licensed graduates from California’s mortuary science programs, high operating costs for funeral homes that limit wage growth, and large corporate chains with standardized (below-market) pay scales all contribute. The high cost of living makes the gap even more significant in real terms.
What city in California pays morticians the most?
The San Francisco Bay Area pays the most, with a mean annual wage of $58,290 (BLS 2023 metro data). Los Angeles pays close to the state median despite having the most jobs. Rural California pays significantly below the state median.
Is it hard to get a mortician job in California?
Not particularly — 2,670 jobs means consistent openings. However, the Location Quotient of 0.89 means mortician jobs are slightly less concentrated in California than the national average, so competition per opening is higher than in states like Iowa or Ohio.
Can a California mortician license be used in other states?
California does not have full reciprocity with most states. If you’re licensed in California and want to work in another state, you’ll typically need to meet that state’s specific requirements, which may include additional exams or apprenticeship hours. Check with the destination state’s funeral regulatory board.
Run the Numbers on Your Options
California’s real purchasing power gap vs. Iowa or Ohio is over $40,000/year. The Mortician Salary Toolkit has the complete COL-adjusted comparison for all 50 states — plus a state comparison template to calculate whether relocating makes financial sense for your situation.
One-time download, $24.99. See what’s included →
Data Source
All figures from BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 39-4031 (state-level) and BLS OEWS May 2023 (metro-level, most recent available). Cost of living index estimates from Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC) 2024 annual average.
→ See also: Mortician Salary by State (All 50) | States With the Most Mortician Jobs | Mortician Salary vs Cost of Living | Why Delaware Pays Morticians the Most