Funeral Director Salary Guide 2026
Funeral directors manage all aspects of funeral services, from meeting with bereaved families to coordinating ceremonies. Salaries vary significantly by state, experience level, and whether the funeral home is independently owned or part of a corporate chain.
Updated October 9, 2026
$65,937
National Average
$36,000
Entry Level
$95,000
Top Earners
The funeral director profession offers a stable career path with competitive compensation. As the primary point of contact for grieving families, funeral directors require a unique combination of business acumen, compassion, and regulatory knowledge.
Entry-level funeral directors typically start in the $36,000–$45,000 range, while experienced directors at established funeral homes can earn $70,000–$95,000 or more. Directors who own their funeral homes or manage large facilities often earn significantly higher.
Factors affecting salary include geographic location, size of the funeral home, whether the position includes on-call duties, and the local cost of living. Metropolitan areas generally offer higher salaries but also higher competition.
Funeral Director Salary by State
| State | Average Salary | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $106,250 | $65,000 – $200,000 | 2 |
| US | $104,000 | $78,000 – $130,000 | 1 |
| Massachusetts | $88,235 | $31,200 – $200,000 | 8 |
| Bergen | $85,000 | $75,000 – $95,000 | 1 |
| Rhode Island | $82,500 | $75,000 – $90,000 | 1 |
| New Jersey | $82,464 | $51,795 – $100,000 | 2 |
| North Dakota | $77,500 | $65,000 – $90,000 | 2 |
| North Carolina | $75,680 | $58,240 – $100,000 | 2 |
| Minnesota | $73,571 | $55,000 – $100,000 | 7 |
| Louisiana | $71,809 | $52,851 – $90,767 | 1 |
| New York | $70,159 | $37,440 – $124,800 | 15 |
| Illinois | $69,944 | $43,680 – $104,000 | 10 |
| Arizona | $69,470 | $49,319 – $85,000 | 3 |
| Utah | $68,750 | $50,000 – $80,000 | 2 |
| Ohio | $68,310 | $54,080 – $100,000 | 4 |
| Wisconsin | $68,228 | $49,920 – $87,360 | 5 |
| Missouri | $66,596 | $43,680 – $110,000 | 5 |
| Virginia | $66,328 | $24,960 – $110,000 | 9 |
| Washington | $63,704 | $52,000 – $81,120 | 10 |
| Alabama | $63,483 | $33,213 – $92,745 | 4 |
| Georgia | $62,909 | $52,000 – $78,000 | 7 |
| Pennsylvania | $62,705 | $24,000 – $95,680 | 8 |
| Florida | $61,694 | $30,000 – $91,469 | 7 |
| California | $61,327 | $37,440 – $83,200 | 3 |
| Vermont | $59,375 | $45,000 – $85,000 | 4 |
| Arkansas | $59,012 | $33,459 – $85,000 | 2 |
| Oregon | $57,500 | $50,000 – $65,000 | 1 |
| Nebraska | $57,200 | $52,000 – $62,400 | 1 |
| Texas | $56,332 | $32,777 – $96,251 | 6 |
| Indiana | $55,438 | $39,127 – $72,800 | 2 |
| Michigan | $54,525 | $35,039 – $75,000 | 6 |
| Colorado | $54,080 | $52,000 – $56,160 | 1 |
| Maryland | $53,867 | $37,440 – $70,000 | 3 |
| South Dakota | $52,500 | $50,000 – $55,000 | 1 |
| Kentucky | $52,500 | $35,000 – $80,000 | 2 |
| South Carolina | $50,985 | $37,440 – $82,732 | 2 |
| Mississippi | $50,800 | $31,200 – $70,000 | 2 |
| New Hampshire | $49,920 | $45,760 – $54,080 | 1 |
| Oklahoma | $48,874 | $32,102 – $65,000 | 2 |
| Nevada | $48,563 | $39,454 – $57,672 | 1 |
| Iowa | $31,200 | $31,200 – $31,200 | 1 |
| New Mexico | $28,800 | $28,800 – $28,800 | 1 |
Funeral Director Salary FAQ
What is the average Funeral Director salary?
The average Funeral Director salary in the United States is about $65,937 per year, from about $36,000 at entry level to $95,000 or more for top earners.
What state pays the most for Funeral Director jobs?
Among current job postings with pay listed, Massachusetts has the highest average Funeral Director pay at about $88,235 per year.