Crematory Operators in Illinois
Want to work as a Crematory Operators in Illinois? Here’s what you need to know. 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.
What do Crematory Operators Make in Illinois?
For crematory operators working in Illinois, the median annual wage is $41,600 per year (or roughly $20.00/hour).Annual wages span from $30,980 at the 10th percentile to $57,380 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,980 | $14.90 |
| 25th percentile | $35,890 | $17.25 |
| Median (50th) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 75th percentile | $47,220 | $22.70 |
| 90th percentile | $57,380 | $27.59 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Illinois nationwide is 0.90.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, crematory operators earn a median of $48,579 per year ($23.36/hour), below the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 242,409 crematory operators in the U.S.. In Illinois alone, approximately 100 people work in this role. That matches the typical state median of 100.
Top Illinois Metros for Crematory Operators
The metro areas below employ the most crematory operators in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 80 | $43,390 |
Top States for Crematory Operators Employment
These states have the highest employment of crematory operators work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Florida | 440 |
| Pennsylvania | 410 |
| California | 220 |
| Texas | 220 |
| Ohio | 190 |
| Indiana | 130 |
| Oregon | 110 |
| Illinois | 100 |
| Michigan | 100 |
| North Carolina | 100 |
| Washington | 80 |
| Colorado | 80 |
| Nevada | 70 |
| Arizona | 70 |
| Massachusetts | 50 |
| Alabama | 50 |
| West Virginia | 40 |
| Maryland | 30 |
| New York | 30 |
Highest-Paying States for Crematory Operators
Where crematory operators earn the most: crematory operators.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $69,010 |
| New Jersey | $59,240 |
| Massachusetts | $52,240 |
| Colorado | $51,450 |
| New York | $50,490 |
| California | $49,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,480 |
| Washington | $47,480 |
| Nevada | $45,260 |
| Michigan | $44,710 |
Daily Tasks
Crematory Operators typically:
- 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.
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Funeral & Mortuary Science
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to crematory operators include:
- Funeral Home Managers
- Coroners
- Floral Designers
- Surgical Technologists
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
- Home Health Aides
Also Known As
Cremation Arranger, Cremator, Crematory Operator, Operations Team Member (Ops Team Member), Pet Crematory Operator, Removal Technician (Removal Tech).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 39-4012.00
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