Crematory Operators in Michigan
Considering working as a Crematory Operators in Michigan? 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 Michigan?
For a crematory operators working in Michigan, the median annual wage is $44,710 per year (or about $21.49/hour).Pay can range from $39,230 at the 10th percentile to $50,330 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,230 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $39,240 | $18.86 |
| Median (50th) | $44,710 | $21.49 |
| 75th percentile | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| 90th percentile | $50,330 | $24.20 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Michigan nationwide is 1.15, meaning that crematory operators are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, crematory operators earn a median of $48,579 per year ($23.36/hour), lower than the Michigan median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 242,409 crematory operators across the United States. In Michigan alone, approximately 100 people work in this role. That matches the typical state median of 100.
Top States for Crematory Operators Employment
The table below shows the states where the most 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
These states pay the most for 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
Day-to-day, 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?
Related college programs 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