Duties and Salaries

• Cemetery administrators handle the day-to-day operations of cemeteries. They plan and schedule all funeral services and burials; ensure the grounds and graves are maintained; hire, motivate, train and fire staff; develop policies and procedures for staff; handle customer service and complaints; and develop and implement improvements to their cemeteries. According to Simply Hired, as of August 2011, the average pay for cemetery administrators is $58,000 per year.
  
  

States

• Salaries in California, the nation's most populous state, run an average $66,000 per year, which is higher than the national average for the position. In Texas, the second most populous state, pay is at $54,000 annually, which is below the national average. In Rhode Island, the smallest state, wages are at $60,000 per year, which is higher than the national average.
  
  

Cities

• The population concentrations in metro areas do provide for higher-than-average salaries for cemetery administrators. For example, in New York City, the most populated one in the U.S., wages average $73,000 per year. In Los Angeles, number two for population, annual pay is at $65,000. In Chicago, Illinois, wages are $64,000 yearly. The cost of living can also boost salaries. For example, in Anchorage, Alaska, which has a comparatively low population, pay for cemetery administrators is also above the national average at $67,000. This is because the high cost of living increases salaries overall.
  
  

Example

• An example of a specific cemetery administrator job is with the Department of the Army at the Military Academy in West Point, New York. This civilian position pays a salary of $53,500 to $69,545, which is a Government Service 09 position. The job requires at least a master's degree, or at least one year of directly related experience in a GS 08 position. Benefits include health and life insurance; a retirement program; paid holidays, sick leave and vacations; reimbursed employee training and education; and possible repayment of student loans. These benefits are similar to those granted for all civilian positions at the Department of Defense.