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All About Coroners

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.

Life As a Coroner: What Do They Do?

  • Arrange for the next of kin to be notified of deaths.
  • Coordinate the release of personal effects to authorized persons and facilitate the disposition of unclaimed corpses and personal effects.
  • Witness and certify deaths that are the result of a judicial order.
  • Collect wills, burial instructions, and other documentation needed for investigations and for handling of the remains.
  • Inquire into the cause, manner, and circumstances of human deaths and establish the identities of deceased persons.
  • Observe, record, and preserve any objects or personal property related to deaths, including objects such as medication containers and suicide notes.

Qualities of a Coroner

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.

  • Coroner Forensic Technician
  • Medical Examiner
  • Coroner Transport Technician
  • Coroner’s Juror
  • Forensic Pathologist

What Kind of Coroner Job Opportunities Are There?

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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 25,900 job openings in this field each year.

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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.

Coroner Average Salary

The salary for Coroners ranges between about $38,320 and $109,650 a year.

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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

Education needed to be a Coroner:

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What work experience do I need to become a Coroner?

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Where Coroners Are Employed

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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You May Also Be Interested In…

Are you already one of the many Coroner in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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