What Does it Take to Be a Coroner?
Coroner Job Description 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.
Coroner Responsibilities
- Arrange for the next of kin to be notified of deaths.
- Locate and document information regarding the next of kin, including their relationship to the deceased and the status of notification attempts.
- Observe and record the positions and conditions of bodies and related evidence.
- Complete death certificates, including the assignment of cause and manner of death.
- Confer with officials of public health and law enforcement agencies to coordinate interdepartmental activities.
- Coordinate the release of personal effects to authorized persons and facilitate the disposition of unclaimed corpses and personal effects.
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Coroner Skills
When polled, Coroners say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Coroner Technician
- Coroner/Medical Examiner
- Medical Legal Investigator (MLI)
- County Coroner
- Coroner’s Juror
Is There Going to be Demand for Coroners?
In the United States, there were 288,300 jobs for Coroner in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 25,900 positions for Coroner per year.

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.
Salary for a Coroner
Coroners make between $38,320 and $109,650 a year.

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 |
What Tools do Coroners Use?
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
- Graphics software
- Android
- Corel WordPerfect
- Customer relationship management CRM software
- Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services
- Transact-SQL
- EMC Documentum
How to Become a Coroner
What kind of Coroner requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where Coroners Are Employed

Coroners work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Career changers with experience as a Coroner sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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