Prevailing Wage for Embalmers
Prevailing wage requirements for Embalmers (SOC 39-4011) are set by the Department of Labor using regional Occupational Employment Statistics surveys. Whether you're filing as a Licensed Embalmer or a Trade Embalmer, DOL assigns one of four experience levels to each sponsored position, and the wage floor shifts meaningfully from city to city.
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Entry-level embalmers with limited professional experience, typically recent mortuary science graduates performing preparation tasks under direct supervision. DOL expects minimal independent judgment; the employer guides most decisions. This level applies to candidates new to licensed practice in the U.S.
Qualified embalmers with a few years of licensed experience who work with moderate supervision. Level 2 is the most common filing level for this occupation, reflecting practitioners who handle standard preparation cases independently but still defer to senior staff on complex situations.
Experienced embalmers who perform complex preparation work largely independently, may supervise junior staff, and are recognized for advanced technical judgment. DOL expects demonstrated mastery of embalming procedures and restorative techniques without routine oversight from a supervisor.
Fully competent embalmers in senior or lead roles, often managing preparation departments, setting procedural standards, or overseeing compliance with state licensing and health regulations. These professionals bring specialized expertise and exercise independent authority across all aspects of the occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Embalmers 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 Embalmers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Confirm your license level matches the filed SOC
Some funeral homes file embalmer positions under broader mortician or funeral director SOC codes, which carry different wage floors. Verify your offer letter and LCA both reference SOC 39-4011 to ensure the correct prevailing wage applies to your sponsored position.
Watch how California metros shift your floor
San Francisco and Los Angeles set the highest prevailing wages for this occupation nationally. If your offer worksite is in California, the L1 floor alone exceeds the national L3 median, so even entry-level filings require significantly higher base compensation than most other states.
Check whether on-call premiums count toward the wage
Funeral homes frequently structure compensation with on-call differentials or weekend premiums. DOL prevailing wage compliance counts only guaranteed base wages, not variable premiums. Ensure your base salary alone meets the floor before factoring any supplemental pay into your evaluation.
Find employers who have sponsored embalmers on Migrate Mate
Funeral service employers who sponsor visas for this occupation are a small subset of the industry. Migrate Mate shows which employers have historical H-1B or green card sponsorship counts for embalmer roles, helping you target outreach toward funeral homes with a documented pattern of visa sponsorship.
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Find Jobs for EmbalmersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 39-4011.00 alongside Embalmers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Licensed Embalmer Prevailing Wage
Licensed Embalmer Prevailing Wage
Licensed Embalmer positions fall under SOC 39-4011.00 (Embalmers). 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.
Trade Embalmer Prevailing Wage
Trade Embalmer Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Trade Embalmer for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 39-4011.00 (Embalmers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Embalmers?
DOL calculates prevailing wages for Embalmers using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics across metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The Office of Foreign Labor Certification publishes these figures in its wage library. Employers filing an LCA must pay at least the DOL-determined wage for the relevant level and worksite location, updated annually.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I know which applies to my offer?
DOL assigns Level 1 to entry-level positions under close supervision, Level 2 to qualified practitioners working with moderate oversight, Level 3 to experienced professionals with broad independence, and Level 4 to senior or lead roles. Your level should reflect your actual duties and supervisory structure. Review the job description and LCA carefully; the filed level determines the legal wage floor your employer must meet.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same embalmer role vary so much by city?
DOL bases wage floors on regional OES survey data, which captures local labor market conditions. Funeral service wages in San Francisco reflect higher regional costs and denser employer competition, while Louisville or Portland metros show lower survey medians. Under the worksite-on-LCA rule, the wage floor is tied to where you physically perform the work, not your employer's headquarters, so a multistate funeral home group must use the wage for each specific worksite.
What happens if my job offer falls below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An employer cannot file a certified LCA with DOL or submit an H-1B or PERM petition to USCIS if the offered wage is below the prevailing wage for the relevant level and location. If a discrepancy is discovered post-filing, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence or deny the petition. The employer bears legal responsibility for the shortfall and may face DOL back-wage liability for the difference.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for Embalmers in a specific U.S. city?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool on the DOL website, select the current wage year, enter SOC code 39-4011, and choose your target metropolitan area. The tool returns all four level wages for that location. You can also review LCA disclosure data published by OFLC to see what wages sponsors have previously certified for embalmer positions. Migrate Mate lists employers with documented sponsorship history, giving you a starting point for identifying which funeral service companies actively hire internationally.
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