Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.
Embalmers
SOC: 39-4011 O*NET: 39-4011.00
Median Salary
$56,280
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 1.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Prepare bodies for interment in conformity with legal requirements.
What does a Embalmers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,160
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,160
25th percentile
Median
$56,280
50th percentile
Experienced
$64,760
75th percentile
Top Earners
$78,740
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,160
25th
$46,160
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$56,280
Mean: $57,520
75th
$64,760
90th
$78,740
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $43,580 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,160 and $64,760
- •Salary spread is 33.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 3,420 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:3,600
Top Industries
Other Services (except Public Administration)97.7%
Personal and Laundry Services97.7%
Death Care Services97.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+1.3%
Annual Openings:600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)3,600
Current
2034 (Projected)3,700
+1.3%
0
Employment Change
+1.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: More slowly than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Embalmers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 23 locations
Texas
510 jobs$50,4201.67x
California
360 jobs$60,0400.90x
Florida
300 jobs$54,6101.38x
Kentucky
290 jobs$47,4506.46x
Louisiana
240 jobs$52,8305.58x
Virginia
150 jobs$55,8001.65x
Kansas
130 jobs$56,9304.23x
Tennessee
110 jobs$60,0001.57x
South Carolina
100 jobs$60,4801.96x
Ohio
90 jobs$76,1800.73x
Colorado
90 jobs$57,8901.37x
Oregon
90 jobs$48,0902.08x
Missouri
90 jobs$47,2401.43x
West Virginia
70 jobs$49,0304.57x
Georgia
60 jobs$62,8400.51x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
Standard growth expectations for this occupation
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Service Orientation
74%
#6
Time Management
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Judgment and Decision Making
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.7
74%
Time Management
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Time Management
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Animal Control Workers82%
5 shared skills
Brokerage Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Floral Designers82%
5 shared skills
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists82%
5 shared skills
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping82%
5 shared skills
Interpreters and Translators82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Time Management
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Service Orientation
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Embalmers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Management & Supervision (3)Operations & Execution (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)
1
Conform to laws of health and sanitation and ensure that legal requirements concerning embalming are met.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Apply cosmetics to impart lifelike appearance to the deceased.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Incise stomach and abdominal walls and probe internal organs, using trocar, to withdraw blood and waste matter from organs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Close incisions, using needles and sutures.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Reshape or reconstruct disfigured or maimed bodies when necessary, using dermasurgery techniques and materials such as clay, cotton, plaster of Paris, and wax.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Make incisions in arms or thighs and drain blood from circulatory system and replace it with embalming fluid, using pump.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Dress bodies and place them in caskets.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Perform the duties of funeral directors, including coordinating funeral activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Join lips, using needles and thread or wire.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Conduct interviews to arrange for the preparation of obituary notices, to assist with the selection of caskets or urns, and to determine the location and time of burials or cremations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Embalmers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Embalmers professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Embalmers
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.67
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.67
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.63
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.62
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.60
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.41
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.6
Concern for Others
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Social Orientation
4.2
Initiative
4.0
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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