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Crematory Operators

Human ServicesO*NET 39-4012.00United States

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.

COMING SOON See related ASU learning
Median annual earnings
$43,638

50th percentile, United States

Projected change
+3.3%

2025 to 2035

Typical education
Associate degree

72.6% of the workforce

Employment
3.09K jobs

Growing to 3.19K by 2035

Explore this career by location

Compare nationwide estimates with state or county job-market data.

Showing United States

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Build the skills

ASU learning related to this career

These courses and certificates are connected through catalog career relationships and Lightcast skill tags.

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The work

What crematory operators do

Tasks reported for this occupation, ordered by how often they come up in the role.

  • 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.
  • Offer counsel and comfort to bereaved families or friends.
  • Pick up and handle human or pet remains in a respectful manner.
  • Place corpses into crematory machines to reduce remains to bone fragments using flame, heat, or alkaline hydrolysis.
  • Pulverize remaining bone fragments into smaller pieces, using specialized equipment, such as a cremulator or grinder.
  • Read documentation to confirm the identity of the deceased.
  • Remove jewelry, watches, or other personal items from the deceased prior to cremation.
  • Sweep or vacuum the cremation chamber to retrieve remains for storage in an urn or other container.
  • Transport the deceased to a funeral home or crematory using a van, hearse, or other vehicle.

Pay and outlook

What the job pays and where it is heading

Annual earnings range

Reported earnings by percentile, United States

10th percentile
$33,280
25th percentile
$37,024
50th percentile
$43,638
75th percentile
$50,378
90th percentile
$62,462

The gold marker shows the median. Half earn more than $43,638 and half earn less.

Employment outlook

2025 to 2035 projection

+3.3%average or slower
20253,091 jobs
2035 projected3,192 jobs

101 more positions over the decade, before replacement hiring.

Preparation

Education levels

What people currently working in the career hold. These are not entry requirements.

Associate degree
72.6%
Certificate
13%
Some college
5.6%
Bachelor's degree
5.2%
Master's or Professional degree
1.9%
High school diploma or less
1.6%

Skills

Skills employers ask for

Technical skills appearing most often in job postings for this occupation.

  • Cremation
  • Lifting Ability
  • Good Driving Record
  • Safety Procedures
  • Mopping
  • Packaging And Labeling
  • Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
  • Housekeeping
  • Chain Of Custody
  • Industrial Equipment
  • Service Industries
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Mortuary Science
  • Personal Protective Equipment
  • Machinery
  • Facility Repair And Maintenance
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Effective Communication
  • Nursing Homes
  • Loading And Unloading

How the work gets done

Core competencies

Broad capabilities associated with strong performance in this occupation.

In the market

Job titles and employers

Recent job postings in United States

Common job titles

  1. 01Crematory Operators249 postings
  2. 02Operations Team Members151 postings
  3. 03Removal Technicians41 postings
  4. 04Kennel Technicians23 postings
  5. 05Aftercare Specialists12 postings
  6. 06Cleaning Technicians10 postings
  7. 07Carpet Technicians8 postings
  8. 08Outlet Managers8 postings
  9. 09Service Technicians8 postings
  10. 10Care Providers7 postings
  11. 11Equipment Operators7 postings
  12. 12Transfer Specialists7 postings
  13. 13Dispatchers/Operators6 postings
  14. 14Pet Specialists6 postings
  15. 15Retail Technicians6 postings
  16. 16Experienced Auditors5 postings
  17. 17Associates4 postings
  18. 18Auxiliaries4 postings
  19. 19Tractor Operators4 postings
  20. 20Detailers3 postings

Top employers

  1. 01Gateway Services134 postings
  2. 02Foundation Partners30 postings
  3. 03Gateway Business Services15 postings
  4. 04Northstar Memorial Group14 postings
  5. 05Texas Pet Meadow14 postings
  6. 06Faithful Companion Memorials9 postings
  7. 07Hamburguesas El Corral8 postings
  8. 08Dignity Memorial6 postings
  9. 09National Security Agency6 postings
  10. 10Wilco Stores6 postings
  11. 11Comfama5 postings
  12. 12Faithful Companion5 postings
  13. 13Forever Friends5 postings
  14. 14Park Lawn Corporation5 postings
  15. 15Community Veterinary Partners4 postings
  16. 16Legacy Funeral Group4 postings
  17. 17Sunrise Memorialization4 postings
  18. 18Wilbert Precast4 postings
  19. 19Davis Funeral Home And Memorial Park3 postings
  20. 20Graper3 postings

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