What is a Coroner?
Job Description & Duties Direct activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths.
A Day in the Life of a Coroner
- Arrange for the next of kin to be notified of deaths.
- Inventory personal effects recovered from bodies, such as jewelry or wallets.
- Complete death certificates, including the assignment of cause and manner of death.
- Testify at inquests, hearings, and court trials.
- Confer with officials of public health and law enforcement agencies to coordinate interdepartmental activities.
- Collect and document any pertinent medical history information.
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What Every Coroner Should Know
When polled, Coroners say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Other Coroner Job Titles
- County Coroner
- Medical Legal Investigator (MLI)
- Forensic Medical Examiner
- District Medical Examiner
- Coroner Technician
Coroner Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 288,300 jobs in the United States for Coroner. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,700 new jobs for Coroner by 2026. The BLS estimates 25,900 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Coroner are Utah, Nevada, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Maine, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Coroners Salary
The average yearly salary of a Coroner ranges between $38,320 and $109,650.
Coroners who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Coroners make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $67,700 |
| Alaska | $80,840 |
| Arizona | $64,340 |
| Arkansas | $56,820 |
| California | $82,380 |
| Colorado | $73,710 |
| Connecticut | $84,590 |
| Delaware | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $93,240 |
| Florida | $63,890 |
| Georgia | $63,030 |
| Hawaii | $69,980 |
| Idaho | $59,420 |
| Illinois | $74,180 |
| Indiana | $61,970 |
| Iowa | $63,340 |
| Kansas | $60,030 |
| Kentucky | $58,260 |
| Louisiana | $61,230 |
| Maine | $66,230 |
| Maryland | $77,250 |
| Massachusetts | $83,100 |
| Michigan | $71,470 |
| Minnesota | $76,190 |
| Mississippi | $54,700 |
| Missouri | $62,180 |
| Montana | $62,620 |
| Nebraska | $68,610 |
| Nevada | $67,540 |
| New Hampshire | $70,670 |
| New Jersey | $83,210 |
| New Mexico | $68,290 |
| New York | $76,370 |
| North Carolina | $67,100 |
| North Dakota | $70,970 |
| Ohio | $67,140 |
| Oklahoma | $59,340 |
| Oregon | $71,860 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,090 |
| Rhode Island | $76,440 |
| South Carolina | $61,390 |
| South Dakota | $57,930 |
| Tennessee | $61,780 |
| Texas | $74,690 |
| Utah | $59,470 |
| Vermont | $69,520 |
| Virginia | $75,900 |
| Washington | $84,340 |
| West Virginia | $60,740 |
| Wisconsin | $62,700 |
| Wyoming | $67,370 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Coroners
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Coroners may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Git
- Web browser software
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Structured query language SQL
- Linux
- UNIX
- Android
- Graphics software
- Corel WordPerfect
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
- Transact-SQL
- EMC Documentum
How to Become a Coroner
What education or degrees do I need to become a Coroner?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Coroner?
Where Coroners Are Employed
The table below shows the approximate number of Coroners employed by various industries.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those who work as a Coroner sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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