The job market for coroners in the United States

There are currently an estimated 288,300 coroners in the United States. The coroner job market is expected to grow by 8.2% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are coroners?

CareerExplorer rates coroners with a D employability rating, meaning this career should provide weak employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 28,700 coroners. That number is based on 23,700 additional coroners, and the retirement of 5,000 existing coroners.

Are coroners in demand?

While considerable job growth is predicted for medical doctors in general, the coroner field is a relatively small and very specialized subset of the occupation, in which competition is projected to be high. Because of the nature of the coroner profession, demand in this sector will remain relatively stable and never significantly decline. It may increase slightly as more criminal investigations rely upon the evidence and expertise of coroners. On the other hand, government budget constraints may reduce funding for these positions and cause smaller jurisdictions to rely on part-time versus full-time personnel. In some areas, coroners may not be salaried employees and may instead be paid a fixed fee each time that they perform their services. Most counties in the United States elect their coroners, meaning that job seekers are faced with the added pressure of campaigning. These two potentialities of life as a coroner may complicate job searches. As with most professions, coroners may complement their education and licenses by pursuing voluntary certifications. The National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) offer professional designations which may enhance candidates’ employability and electability. Teaching, research, and consultancy positions are among the advancement opportunities for medical examiners.

What’s the supply of coroners?

The coroner industry is concentrated in California, Texas, New York

Coroner job market by state