Coroner

Autopsy Facilities Manager, Coroner, MDI (Medicolegal Death Investigator), Medical Examiner
Job Description

A Coroner is a medical professional who investigates deaths, particularly those occurring under unusual or suspicious circumstances. They determine the cause, manner, and circumstances of death.

Typical Preparation

Education: Bachelor's degree

Years in related career: None

On-the-job training: Moderate-term

Outlook

Projected Growth: 4.6% (above average)

Annual job openings: 33,300

Direct AI exposure: 32% of tasks

Potential AI exposure: 60% of tasks

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average income (in USD) in 2025 was $81K per year.
Bottom 10%Bottom 25%Median (average)Top 25%Top 10%
$48K
per year
$61K
per year
$81K
per year
$109K
per year
$134K
per year
Compared to other careers: Median is $30K above the national average.

What does a Coroner do?

Intro video

(less than 2 minutes)

Duties

  • Conducts or supervises autopsies.
  • Collects and examines evidence from the deceased.
  • Determines cause and manner of death.
  • Testifies in court as an expert witness.
  • Coordinates with law enforcement and medical professionals.

Work environment

Coroners work in various environments including morgues, crime scenes, and offices. They often collaborate with law enforcement, forensic teams, and medical personnel.

Typical Schedule

Areas of specialization

  • Forensic Pathology: Specializing in determining cause of death through autopsy.
  • Legal Medicine: Focusing on the legal aspects of death investigations.
  • Toxicology: Specializing in identifying poisons and toxins in death cases.

Description

Coroners play a crucial role in the justice system by determining how and why a person died. This involves conducting autopsies, analyzing medical history, and examining the scene where the body was found. They need to have a strong medical background, as well as an understanding of the legal implications of their findings.

Their work is not just scientific but also involves a significant amount of interaction with grieving families, requiring empathy and strong communication skills. Coroners may also be involved in public health, identifying trends in deaths that could indicate larger societal issues.

Given the nature of their work, Coroners often deal with distressing scenes and must be emotionally resilient. They also need to be detail-oriented and methodical in their approach to ensure accurate and reliable conclusions.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

You might make a good Coroner if you are...

Pros:

  • Highly respected and essential role in the justice system.
  • Intellectual challenge and varied work.
  • Opportunity to impact public health and safety.

Cons:

  • Potential exposure to distressing and traumatic situations.
  • High responsibility and the need for absolute accuracy.
  • Long and irregular hours, especially when dealing with unexpected deaths.

How to become a Coroner

Typical education

Typically, Coroners have a medical degree (about 8 years of post-secondary education), though some jurisdictions may require less, such as a degree in forensic science or mortuary science.

High school preparation

Courses:

  • Biology and Chemistry for a strong science foundation.
  • Psychology to understand human behavior and cope with emotional aspects.
  • Law and Government classes to understand the legal side of the role.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

  • Join science clubs or forensic science camps.
  • Volunteer at hospitals or health-related organizations.
  • Participate in debate teams to develop analytical and communication skills.

Preparation after high school

  • Earn a bachelor's degree in a scientific field like biology or forensic science.
  • Attend medical school to become a licensed physician.
  • Obtain certification in forensic pathology.
  • Gain experience in medical or legal professions.

More resources

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