Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding customer needs and providing helpful, professional service.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
An associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science is the education typically required to become a funeral service worker. Most employers and state licensing laws require applicants to be 21 years old, have at least 2 years of formal postsecondary education, have supervised training, and pass a state licensing exam. PayThe median annual wage for funeral home managers was $78,790 in May 2025.The median annual wage for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers was $55,010 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of funeral service workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,600 openings for funeral service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for funeral service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of funeral service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about funeral service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for funeral home managers was $78,790 in May 2025.The median annual wage for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers was $55,010 in May 2025. Job Outlook Overall employment of funeral service workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,600 openings for funeral service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for funeral service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of funeral service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about funeral service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of funeral service workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 5,600 openings for funeral service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for funeral service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of funeral service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about funeral service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Funeral service workers organize and manage the details of a ceremony honoring a deceased person.
Work Environment
Funeral service workers are employed in funeral homes and crematories. They are often on call; irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, are common. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Funeral Service Worker
An associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science is the education typically required to become a funeral service worker. Most employers and state licensing laws require applicants to be 21 years old, have at least 2 years of formal postsecondary education, have supervised training, and pass a state licensing exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for funeral home managers was $78,790 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers was $55,010 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of funeral service workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 5,600 openings for funeral service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for funeral service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of funeral service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about funeral service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Funeral service workers are employed in funeral homes and crematories. They are often on call; irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, are common. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Funeral Service Worker
An associate’s degree in funeral service or mortuary science is the education typically required to become a funeral service worker. Most employers and state licensing laws require applicants to be 21 years old, have at least 2 years of formal postsecondary education, have supervised training, and pass a state licensing exam.
Pay
The median annual wage for funeral home managers was $78,790 in May 2025.
The median annual wage for morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers was $55,010 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of funeral service workers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 5,600 openings for funeral service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for funeral service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of funeral service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about funeral service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for funeral service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of funeral service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about funeral service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about funeral service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.