How Much Money Do Funeral Home Directors Make?

Average salaries for funeral directors are between $32,000 and $52,000, as of 2010.

Funeral home directors have the responsibility of making funeral arrangements and helping make plans for families in a time of grief. The job requires not only a high stress tolerance and attention to detail, but proficient communication skills to help individuals cope in their time of loss. The benefits of the job extend well beyond strictly monetary rewards, but being aware of average salaries can help those considering the career.

National Averages

The national salary range for funeral home directors runs from $32,480 to $52,416 as of November 2010. This number is calculated by PayScale based on a survey of 1,131 directors across the country. This salary range includes bonus pay and any commission-based income.

Experience

The family-owned nature of many funeral homes means that their directors are often employed in the same line of work for many years. PayScale finds that directors with less than five years of experience have a top average salary at $40,729. With five to nine years of experience, this figure increases to $48,534. By 10 to 19 years in the career, top average salaries reach $55,011.

Employer

Average salaries do not vary significantly based on which type of employer a funeral home director works for. At the top of PayScale's list are directors working for franchise operations, with a top average salaries just under $56,000. Self-employed directors, and private company employees come close behind, however, with top salaries around $52,000.

Benefits

Because many funeral home directors own their own business, they may not enjoy the benefits of employer-provided health care. According to PayScale, 68 percent of funeral directors receive medical insurance. Additionally, 35 percent receive dental care and 22 percent get vision coverage.

References

• PayScale: Funeral Director Salaries
• PayScale: Average Salaries by Years Experience
• PayScale: Average Salaries by Employer Type