Embalmers Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, embalmers earn $60,350 at the median — $29.01 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $55,428 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,246/month — about 57% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $60K get you in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
About embalmers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Entry-level embalmers (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K.Top earners bring in $82K or more - a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Embalmers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $102K | +82% | 30 |
| Ohio | $76K | +35% | 90 |
| New York | $68K | +21% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $66K | +17% | N/A |
| Washington | $64K | +15% | 30 |
| Georgia | $63K | +12% | 60 |
| South Carolina | $60K | +7% | 100 |
| California | $60K | +7% | 360 |
| Tennessee | $60K | +7% | 110 |
| Kansas | $57K | +1% | 130 |
| Mississippi | $56K | +0% | 60 |
| Virginia | $56K | -1% | 150 |
| Florida | $55K | -3% | 300 |
| Louisiana | $53K | -6% | 240 |
| Texas | $50K | -10% | 510 |
Track embalmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington-Arlington-Alexandria numbers change.
Related careers in Personal Care
Frequently asked questions
How much do embalmers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median is $60,350 a year - that works out to about $29.01 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,430, and experienced embalmers can clear $81,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,996/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,246/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.2% 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 embalmers salary go in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (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 embalmers salary is worth about $55,428 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do embalmers 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.