What is a Coroner?
Coroner Example Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.
A Day in the Life of a Coroner
- Coordinate the release of personal effects to authorized persons and facilitate the disposition of unclaimed corpses and personal effects.
- Arrange for the next of kin to be notified of deaths.
- Collect and document any pertinent medical history information.
- Complete reports and forms required to finalize cases.
- Collect wills, burial instructions, and other documentation needed for investigations and for handling of the remains.
- Perform medicolegal examinations and autopsies, conducting preliminary examinations of the body to identify victims, locate signs of trauma, and identify factors that would indicate time of death.
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Coroner Required Skills
When polled, Coroners say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Coroner Jobs
- Forensic Pathologist
- Coroner Technician
- Chief Deputy Coroner
- District Medical Examiner
- Medical Legal Investigator (MLI)
Is There Going to be Demand for Coroners?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 288,300 jobs in the United States for Coroner. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,700 new jobs for Coroner by 2026. There will be an estimated 25,900 positions for Coroner per year.

The states with the most job growth for Coroner are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Coroners Salary
Coroners make between $38,320 and $109,650 a year.

Coroners who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Coroners make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $67,700 |
Alaska | $80,840 |
Arizona | $64,340 |
Arkansas | $56,820 |
California | $82,380 |
Colorado | $73,710 |
Connecticut | $84,590 |
Delaware | $77,670 |
District of Columbia | $93,240 |
Florida | $63,890 |
Georgia | $63,030 |
Hawaii | $69,980 |
Idaho | $59,420 |
Illinois | $74,180 |
Indiana | $61,970 |
Iowa | $63,340 |
Kansas | $60,030 |
Kentucky | $58,260 |
Louisiana | $61,230 |
Maine | $66,230 |
Maryland | $77,250 |
Massachusetts | $83,100 |
Michigan | $71,470 |
Minnesota | $76,190 |
Mississippi | $54,700 |
Missouri | $62,180 |
Montana | $62,620 |
Nebraska | $68,610 |
Nevada | $67,540 |
New Hampshire | $70,670 |
New Jersey | $83,210 |
New Mexico | $68,290 |
New York | $76,370 |
North Carolina | $67,100 |
North Dakota | $70,970 |
Ohio | $67,140 |
Oklahoma | $59,340 |
Oregon | $71,860 |
Pennsylvania | $71,090 |
Rhode Island | $76,440 |
South Carolina | $61,390 |
South Dakota | $57,930 |
Tennessee | $61,780 |
Texas | $74,690 |
Utah | $59,470 |
Vermont | $69,520 |
Virginia | $75,900 |
Washington | $84,340 |
West Virginia | $60,740 |
Wisconsin | $62,700 |
Wyoming | $67,370 |
What Tools do Coroners Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Coroners may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Structured query language SQL
- Linux
- UNIX
- Android
- Graphics software
- Corel WordPerfect
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
- Transact-SQL
- EMC Documentum
Becoming a Coroner
Individuals working as a Coroner have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Coroners Sector

Below are examples of industries where Coroners work:

Similar Careers
Career changers with experience as a Coroner sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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