Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers Salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
The median pay for a morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $66,600/year ($32.02/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $51K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.7), which stretches that salary to about $72,628 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,318/month — about 30.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $67K get you in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
About morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Entry-level morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers (10th percentile) start around $51K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K.Top earners bring in $101K or more - a $50K spread from bottom to top.
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $80K | +61% | 90 |
| North Dakota | $77K | +54% | 100 |
| Minnesota | $76K | +54% | 520 |
| Nebraska | $65K | +31% | 220 |
| Maine | $64K | +28% | 70 |
| Iowa | $64K | +28% | 560 |
| New York | $63K | +26% | 1,390 |
| Idaho | $61K | +23% | 160 |
| Utah | $61K | +23% | 320 |
| New Hampshire | $61K | +22% | 100 |
| Michigan | $61K | +22% | 760 |
| Illinois | $61K | +22% | 1,120 |
| Indiana | $60K | +21% | 660 |
| Virginia | $60K | +21% | 490 |
| Washington | $60K | +21% | 430 |
Track morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Des Moines-West Des Moines numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median is $66,600 a year - that works out to about $32.02 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,840, and experienced morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers can clear $100,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,322/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,318/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 30.5% 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 morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers salary go in Des Moines-West Des Moines?
Des Moines-West Des Moines has a Regional Price Parity of 91.7 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers salary is worth about $72,628 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do morticians, undertakers, and funeral arrangers 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.