Average Undertaker Monthly Pay
As of the most recent public data, the average undertaker salary per month in the United States is around $5,200, based on full-time employment and standard hours. This figure reflects median earnings across funeral service roles and includes base pay before bonuses or overtime. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual wages for funeral service managers and embalmers translate to roughly $62,000 per year, or about $5,170 per month, making this a reliable benchmark for salary comparisons.
Monthly pay varies by job title, with funeral directors often earning between $4,500 and $6,000 per month, while embalmers and morticians typically range from $4,000 to $5,500 per month. Experience, licensure, and employer type are the main drivers of these differences. The newest salary surveys from major job platforms confirm that undertaker salary per month rises steadily with additional years in the field and specialized certifications.
Pay by Role and Responsibility
Funeral service managers, who oversee operations and families, tend to earn the highest undertaker salary per month, often above $6,500, because they carry licensing and leadership duties. Embalmers and restorative arts specialists earn a bit less, with monthly pay around $4,800 to $5,600, reflecting their technical training and certification requirements. Morticians who handle both arrangements and body preparation usually fall in the middle, with earnings close to $5,200 per month on average.
Entry-Level vs. Senior Positions
Entry-level undertakers and apprentice funeral directors can expect a starting undertaker salary per month near $3,600 to $4,200, depending on state requirements and employer size. Senior funeral directors and those managing multiple funeral homes or chains often exceed $7,000 per month, especially when they hold additional business or compliance responsibilities. The gap between entry and senior pay widens as professionals gain licensure, complete continuing education, and take on supervisory duties.
Salary Differences by Employer and Region
Large funeral service companies and hospital-based death care units often offer higher base pay, with some paying over $5,800 per month for experienced staff, while smaller independent funeral homes may pay closer to $4,500 per month. Geographic location also matters, with metropolitan areas and regions with higher costs of living typically providing 10 to 20 percent more than rural areas. The newest compensation reports from industry sources and job platforms show that undertaker salary per month is shaped heavily by these two factors.
Major employers such as Service Corporation International and Carriage Services set pay scales that align with national averages but adjust for local market conditions, with some locations offering additional shift differentials or on-call pay. Public sector and unionized funeral roles can provide more predictable monthly earnings and stronger benefits packages, which adds total value beyond base salary. For detailed breakdowns by employer and region, current data from compensation platforms and industry reports offer up-to-date figures on undertaker salary per month across different setups.