In Mary Roach's book "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," she discusses the financial aspects of working in the field of cadaver studies. The compensation for those involved in this line of work was notably high, amounting to around $1,000 annually. This income was significantly better than that of average unskilled laborers, whose earnings ranged from about one-fifth to one-tenth of this amount.

Moreover, the jobs typically included the benefit of having summers off, making it an attractive option for some. Roach's exploration highlights both the financial incentives and the unique nature of working with human remains, offering readers a glimpse into the often-overlooked aspects of this profession.