A coroner investigates deaths and determines their cause. You'll work with law enforcement, medical professionals, and families. The role requires a bachelor's degree and medium-level preparation. Here is what the work involves, what skills matter most, and how to get in.
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Coroners investigate deaths to determine cause and manner. You gather information from crime scenes, medical records, and witness interviews. You document findings carefully and communicate with law enforcement, medical examiners, and the public. You make decisions about whether a death was natural, accidental, or criminal. You stay current with legal requirements and medical knowledge. The work is detail-oriented, involves critical thinking, and requires you to handle sensitive situations with families and officials.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Coroners earn a median of $80,730 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 33,300 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree to enter this field. Your education should include coursework in biology, medicine, law, and administration. During your studies, focus on building skills in critical thinking, writing, and active listening. Seek internships or entry-level positions in medical examiner's offices, law enforcement, or related agencies. Many coroners start in adjacent roles like death investigator or forensic technician. Talk with your counselor about which educational path fits your timeline and career goals.
Most coroners come through a bachelor's degree pathway, though some start in related investigative roles first. The route depends on your background and what you want to specialize in, so if you are exploring options, Pathly can map the coroner path that fits you and turn it into a step-by-step plan with your counselor in the loop.
Many coroners must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to investigative work that involves solving problems and understanding complex systems. You like gathering and analyzing information to reach conclusions.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).