Prevailing Wage for Crematory Operators
The prevailing wage for Crematory Operators (SOC 39-4012) is set by the Department of Labor using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. DOL defines four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly depending on the worksite city listed on the Labor Condition Application.
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Level 1 applies to entry-level crematory operators with limited experience, typically performing tasks under direct supervision. Candidates are building familiarity with cremation equipment operation, body preparation procedures, and state regulatory requirements for the first time.
Level 2 covers qualified operators who work independently with minimal supervision and have demonstrated competence across standard cremation methods. This is the most common filing level for Crematory Operators, reflecting the hands-on, licensed nature of the occupation.
Level 3 is appropriate for experienced operators who handle complex situations, mentor junior staff, or manage equipment maintenance programs. Candidates at this level typically have several years of facility experience and may hold additional state-issued credentials.
Level 4 reflects fully competent senior operators who exercise independent judgment, oversee compliance with state and local regulations, and may carry lead or supervisory responsibilities within a cremation facility or multi-location funeral services operation.
Prevailing Wage for Crematory Operators by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Crematory Operators and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Confirm your cremation method affects your level
Operators trained in alkaline hydrolysis or calcination, in addition to traditional flame-based cremation, often qualify for Level 3 or Level 4 because multi-method proficiency exceeds the standard entry-level scope DOL defines for this occupation.
Watch how Florida metros skew your floor
Tampa, Orlando, and Miami consistently post the lowest prevailing wages for this role nationally. If a sponsoring employer lists one of these as the worksite on the LCA, the required floor drops well below what comparable positions pay in New York or Boston.
Verify the job title filed on the LCA
Funeral service employers sometimes list broader titles like Funeral Service Worker on the LCA, which maps to a different SOC and a different wage floor. Confirm the petition cites SOC 39-4012 specifically, not a catch-all occupational category.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsors for this role
Crematory Operators sponsorship is concentrated among funeral home chains and cremation-only operators. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historical H-1B or green card sponsorship counts for this occupation, so you can focus outreach on facilities with a filing track record.
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Find Jobs for Crematory OperatorsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 39-4012.00 alongside Crematory Operators, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Cremation Arranger Prevailing Wage
Cremation Arranger Prevailing Wage
Cremation Arranger positions fall under SOC 39-4012.00 (Crematory Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Cremator Prevailing Wage
Cremator Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Cremator for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-4012.00 (Crematory Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Operations Team Member (Ops Team Member) Prevailing Wage
Operations Team Member (Ops Team Member) Prevailing Wage
Operations Team Member (Ops Team Member) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 39-4012.00 (Crematory Operators). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Pet Crematory Operator Prevailing Wage
Pet Crematory Operator Prevailing Wage
Pet Crematory Operator positions fall under SOC 39-4012.00 (Crematory Operators). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Removal Technician (Removal Tech) Prevailing Wage
Removal Technician (Removal Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Removal Technician (Removal Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-4012.00 (Crematory Operators). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Crematory Operators?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across hundreds of metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. For Crematory Operators under SOC 39-4012, OFLC publishes four wage levels derived from the wage distribution in each area. Employers sponsoring H-1B or PERM applicants must pay at least the level that matches the position's actual duties and required experience.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which one applies to me?
Level 1 covers entry-level positions under close supervision. Level 2 reflects independent qualified work and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced operators with added complexity or mentorship duties. Level 4 covers senior or lead roles with supervisory scope. The correct level is determined by the job duties on the LCA, not by your years of experience alone, so review the position description carefully before accepting an offer.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same crematory operator role vary so much by city?
DOL calculates prevailing wages from regional OES surveys, so wages reflect local labor market conditions rather than a national average. Employers must use the wage for the worksite city listed on the LCA, not the company's headquarters. Dense metro markets like New York carry higher survey-based wages than Florida markets like Tampa or Orlando, which is why the L2 floor can differ substantially between two otherwise identical positions at the same employer chain.
What happens if an employer offers a salary below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An LCA certified by DOL legally commits the employer to pay at least the prevailing wage for the duration of the sponsored employment. If the offered salary falls below the applicable level, USCIS can deny the H-1B petition or OFLC can decertify the PERM application. Workers who discover underpayment after approval may file a wage complaint with DOL's Wage and Hour Division. Accepting a below-floor offer does not waive these protections.
How can I find and verify the prevailing wage for Crematory Operators in a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current four-level wage schedule for SOC 39-4012 in any metropolitan area. Select the area matching your worksite city, not your employer's headquarters. You can also review certified LCA disclosure data published by OFLC to see what wage levels prior sponsors filed for this occupation. Migrate Mate filters by employer sponsorship history, letting you identify which companies have actively sponsored Crematory Operators before you apply.
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