Crematory Operators Salary
Crematory Operators in Washington make a median of $53,580 a year, or about $25.76 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $52,524 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 49.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Washington. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $54K get you in Washington?
About crematory operators
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for crematory operators, local pay runs about 23% higher than the U.S. median of $44K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 48.7% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level crematory operators (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $66K or more, a $19K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track crematory operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a crematory operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $54K, rent takes 48.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for crematory operators in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new crematory operators typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,804/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 65% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is crematory operator a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 23% above the national median — $54K here vs. $44K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for crematory operators?
Washington pays $54K median vs. the U.S. average of $44K — that’s +23%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $53K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do crematory operators make in Washington?
The median is $53,580 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,740, and experienced crematory operators can clear $65,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,758/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 48.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a crematory operators salary go in Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median crematory operators salary is worth about $52,524 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do crematory operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.