Crematory Operators
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.
Median pay (national)
$42,880
$31,970–$60,260 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
2,950
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+3.3%
~600 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for crematory operators shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $60,260 versus $31,970 at the bottom 10% — 1.9x. The median of $42,880 leaves roughly 41% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +3.3% from 2024 to 2034 — about as fast as the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 600 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 24 states with released data, Maryland pays the most for this role (median $69,010, +61% vs the national median), while South Carolina sits lowest at $31,510 — a 119% spread for the same job title.
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What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this 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.
Tools & technology
- Belmar & Associates Mortware
- HMIS Advantage
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word