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.

$78,420

Median Annual Pay

Jobs growth:

+3% projected 2024–2034

Bachelor's degree

Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Coroners investigate deaths that occur under unusual, suspicious, or unexplained circumstances within their jurisdiction. They coordinate and oversee the examination of deceased individuals, working closely with pathologists, toxicologists, and law enforcement to determine the cause and manner of death. Their day-to-day responsibilities include reviewing death scene reports, ordering and interpreting autopsy results, analyzing toxicology findings, and examining medical records. They conduct inquests—formal inquiries into deaths—where they gather testimony from witnesses, medical professionals, and investigators.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Human Resources Management and Services(doctoral)George Washington University, DC

Human Resources Management and Services(grad-cert)George Washington University, DC

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of San Francisco, CA

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Pepperdine University, CA

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Cornell University, NY

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Seton Hall University, NJ

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of Pennsylvania, PA

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Northern Kentucky University, KY

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of South Carolina-Columbia, SC

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Vanderbilt University, TN

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Texas A&M University-College Station, TX

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Michigan State University, MI

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Villanova University, PA

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Georgetown University, DC

Human Resources Management and Services(doctoral)Bellevue University, NE

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of St Francis, IL

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of Southern California, CA

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MN

Human Resources Management and Services(doctoral)Regent University, VA

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)George Washington University, DC

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Utah State University, UT

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)Mount St. Joseph University, OH

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)New York University, NY

Human Resources Management and Services(masters)University of Houston, TX

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