AAMI Newsletter — Issue No. 7
Preparing compassionate professionals for the world’s most dignified, AI-proof career.
Welcome to issue four of the AAMI Newsletter. We promise not to clutter your inbox — only updates once or twice a month on all things AAMI. In this edition:
U.S. Pay at a Glance (Earnings Snapshot)
Summer Registration (New 60-second Application)
The Big Story (What are the Highest Paying States for Funeral Services Careers)
Hot Topics (Quick headlines)
U.S. Pay at a Glance
Funeral service earnings tell a surprising story. While the national median for directors is $49,800, growth potential is significant. Management roles command a $76,830 median, with top earners clearing $131,360. In regions like Hartford, averages reach $135,170.
This upward trend aligns with a projected 4% to 5% job growth through 2033, driven by an aging U.S. population. As the industry professionalizes, the demand for leaders who can navigate complex logistics and emotional intelligence is rising. In 2026, funeral service stands as a resilient, “recession-proof” sector, offering a stable six-figure path through specialized management rather than traditional tech.
Read our Big Story, below, for more findings and information.
With the May 4 summer semester fast approaching, seats at AAMI are filling rapidly. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to pivot into funeral service, this is it.
The reimagined 60-second application has replaced 20 pages of paperwork with a single, streamlined form. In the time it takes to grab a coffee, you can apply to a program boasting a 90% post-graduate employment rate. Don’t let the deadline pass—secure your spot today.
The Big Story
What are the Highest Paying States for Funeral Services Careers?
Where you practice matters – and right now, the national map is full of opportunity.
Seven states and regions are paying funeral home managers/directors over $107,000 annually: Connecticut leads at more than $133,000, followed by Rhode Island/Massachusetts at $116,500, and the DC-VA-MD-WV corridor at $110,000. Michigan, California, Ohio, and Minnesota/Wisconsin all clear the $107,000 threshold.
What does this mean for graduates and career changers in 2026? Geographic mobility equals earning power. But even beyond the top-paying states, every region needs funeral professionals – meaning you have leverage to choose lifestyle, cost of living, and proximity to family.
Unlike tech jobs clustering in expensive coastal cities, funeral service offers strong compensation across diverse markets. You're not forced to choose between career and quality of life.
Data sources: U.S. BLS (OES & Outlook), NFDA, CANA, ICFSEB, ABFSE, state boards, Colorado SB24-173.
✍️ AAMI Blog: Transferring military experience to funeral service - Read Now
🧑💼 New Jobs: Careers in funeral service across the USA - Explore Careers
🖤 Dressing the Dead: Early clothing and the newly deceased – Learn More
🎬 BBC Story: Leonardo DiCaprio takes on the funeral industry - Check News
