Employment

Funeral directors held about 30,000 jobs in 2004. Twenty percent were self-employed. Nearly all worked in the death care services industry.

Job Outlook

Employment opportunities for funeral directors are expected to be good, particularly for those who also embalm. However, mortuary science graduates may have to relocate to find jobs.

Employment of funeral directors is projected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2014, reflecting slow growth in the death care services industry, where funeral directors are employed. The need to replace funeral directors who retire or leave the occupation for other reasons will account for more job openings than will employment growth. Funeral directors are older, on average, than workers in most other occupations and should be retiring in greater numbers between 2004 and 2014. In addition, some funeral directors leave the profession because of the long and irregular hours.

Earnings

Median annual earnings for funeral directors were $45,960 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $35,880 and $60,860. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,470 and the top 10 percent earned more than $85,910.

Salaries of funeral directors depend on the number of years of experience in funeral service, the number of services performed, the number of facilities operated, the area of the country, the size of the community, and the level of formal education. Funeral directors in large cities earn more than their counterparts in small towns and rural areas.

Source:Bureau of Labor Statistics