Occupation: 39-4010

Crematory Operators

Statistics
National
State
City
State
City
$42,880
Median Wage (USD, 2023)
500
Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)
4.7%
Projected Growth (2023-2033)
Operate crematory equipment to reduce human or animal remains to bone fragments in accordance with state and local regulations. Duties may include preparing the body for cremation and performing general maintenance on crematory equipment. May use traditional flame-based cremation, calcination, or alkaline hydrolysis.

Experience Requirements Overview

  • Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
  • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
  • These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
  • Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Clean facilities or work areas.
  • Maintain records, documents, or other files.
  • Apply cleansing or conditioning agents to client hair, scalp, or skin.
  • Apply makeup to alter or enhance appearance.
  • Embalm corpses.

Tasks

  • Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
  • Clean the crematorium, including tables, floors, and equipment.
  • Document divided remains to ensure parts are not misplaced.
  • Embalm, dress, or otherwise prepare the deceased for viewing.
  • Explain the cremation process to family or friends of the deceased.

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.