Career profile · SOC 13-1041.06

Coroners

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.

Coroners 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 unexplaine. The role reports a median annual salary of $78,420 in the US and is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Entry typically requires a Bachelor's degree, and shows high AI exposure (0.73 on a 0-1 scale) — significant portions of core tasks are already being automated. The most in-demand skills for the role include human anatomy, perform forensic examinations, compile legal documents, comply with legal regulations, provide testimony in court hearings.

Median salary
$78,420
per year
Growth outlook
Average
BLS 10-yr
Education
Bachelor's degree
AI exposure
7.3/10
automation risk

Top skills

human anatomy perform forensic examinations compile legal documents comply with legal regulations provide testimony in court hearings maintain work area cleanliness document evidence carry out an autopsy determine cause of death

Frequently asked questions

What does Coroners do?

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.

How much does Coroners earn?

The median annual salary for Coroners in the US is $78,420.

What is the job outlook for Coroners?

The role is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (about as fast as average). Current US employment is approximately 418,000 workers.

How do I become a coroners?

The typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree. Building a foundation in the top skills below will strengthen your application.

What skills does Coroners need?

The most in-demand skills for this role include human anatomy, perform forensic examinations, compile legal documents, comply with legal regulations, provide testimony in court hearings, maintain work area cleanliness. These are the skills O*NET identifies as most important for competent performance.

Will AI replace Coroners?

Our AI-durability model gives Coroners a score of 0.73 on a 0-1 scale (higher = more exposure). That places it at high AI risk — many core tasks are already being automated by generative AI and workflow tools. Focus on AI-adjacent skills or plan a pivot to an AI-durable adjacent role.

How hard is it to enter this field?

Coroners has moderate barrier to entry — moderately gated — a bachelor's degree or equivalent training is typically required.

Related careers

Is Coroners right for you?

Take the Holland test + Big-5 to see how well this career matches your profile.

Get personalised fit →