Forensic science technician salary
BLS occupation: Forensic Science Technicians · also called forensic scientist · Science · data for May 2025
Median salary $72,060 a year, US
Median hourly pay $34.65 an hour
Middle half earn $57,830–$94,520 25th to 75th percentile
Forensic science technicians employed 19,120 +13.3% projected by 2035
How much does a forensic science technician make?
- The median forensic science technician salary in the US is $72,060 a year ($34.65 an hour): half of the 19,120 forensic science technicians BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $79,200.
- The middle half earn between $57,830 and $94,520. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $48,250 and the top 10% more than $117,250.
- That is 41% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Illinois pays forensic science technicians the most (median $124,790), followed by California ($102,100) and Connecticut ($85,910). Arkansas pays the least ($44,670).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Illinois, where the median is worth $124,842 in typical US prices, then California and Montana.
- In 52 of the 92 metro areas with data, the median forensic science technician salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of forensic science technicians to grow 13.3% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 2,800 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what forensic science technicians are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Forensic science technician salary range
Half of forensic science technicians earn between $57,830 and $94,520 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $48,250
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $57,830
Median Yearly pay: $72,060
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $94,520
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $117,250
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $48,250 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $57,830 |
| Median | $72,060 |
| Top 25% earn over | $94,520 |
| Top 10% earn over | $117,250 |
Forensic science technician salary by state
Illinois pays forensic science technicians the most; Arkansas the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($72,060), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,790 median |
| California | $102,100 median |
| Connecticut | $85,910 median |
| Colorado | $84,010 median |
| Montana | $82,200 median |
| Maryland | $82,140 median |
| New York | $81,670 median |
| Washington | $81,310 median |
| Nevada | $81,090 median |
| Oregon | $80,950 median |
| Massachusetts | $79,320 median |
| Minnesota | $76,960 median |
| Vermont | $74,110 median |
| Wisconsin | $72,280 median |
| Idaho | $71,160 median |
| North Dakota | $71,090 median |
| Maine | $70,870 median |
| Tennessee | $70,500 median |
| Virginia | $68,900 median |
| Iowa | $67,060 median |
| Utah | $66,780 median |
| Indiana | $66,520 median |
| Oklahoma | $65,940 median |
| Nebraska | $65,920 median |
| New Mexico | $65,570 median |
| Florida | $64,140 median |
| Georgia | $63,600 median |
| West Virginia | $63,330 median |
| Arizona | $63,250 median |
| New Jersey | $63,220 median |
| Missouri | $62,750 median |
| Pennsylvania | $61,580 median |
| Kentucky | $61,470 median |
| Texas | $59,870 median |
| Alabama | $59,560 median |
| North Carolina | $59,240 median |
| Mississippi | $52,850 median |
| Wyoming | $52,100 median |
| South Carolina | $51,830 median |
| South Dakota | $51,690 median |
| Arkansas | $44,670 median |
Where forensic science technician pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Forensic science technicians' pay goes furthest in Illinois once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,842 |
| California | $92,215 |
| Montana | $86,851 |
| Connecticut | $82,917 |
| Colorado | $81,522 |
| Nevada | $81,107 |
| North Dakota | $79,913 |
| Oregon | $78,318 |
| Maryland | $78,259 |
| Minnesota | $78,036 |
Forensic science technician pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,790 | $60.00 | $65,780 | $148,790 | 370 | $124,842 |
| California | $102,100 | $49.09 | $64,650 | $148,090 | 2,800 | $92,215 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 | $41.30 | $41,500 | $111,560 | 120 | $82,917 |
| Colorado | $84,010 | $40.39 | $63,080 | $114,100 | 510 | $81,522 |
| Montana | $82,200 | $39.52 | $55,640 | $104,410 | 60 | $86,851 |
| Maryland | $82,140 | $39.49 | $59,730 | $130,000 | 460 | $78,259 |
| New York | $81,670 | $39.26 | $63,970 | $105,920 | 1,140 | $75,676 |
| Washington | $81,310 | $39.09 | $61,290 | $108,300 | 390 | $75,981 |
| Nevada | $81,090 | $38.99 | $58,120 | $135,490 | 360 | $81,107 |
| Oregon | $80,950 | $38.92 | $58,210 | $135,010 | 110 | $78,318 |
| Massachusetts | $79,320 | $38.13 | $64,520 | $120,000 | 290 | $75,002 |
| Minnesota | $76,960 | $37.00 | $58,660 | $107,170 | 140 | $78,036 |
| Vermont | $74,110 | $35.63 | $58,480 | $98,880 | 30 | $75,655 |
| Wisconsin | $72,280 | $34.75 | $53,840 | $100,640 | 310 | $76,816 |
| Idaho | $71,160 | $34.21 | $50,040 | $117,430 | 160 | $74,518 |
| North Dakota | $71,090 | $34.18 | $59,170 | $102,160 | 40 | $79,913 |
| Maine | $70,870 | $34.07 | $44,260 | $84,050 | 40 | $73,024 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $33.89 | $47,730 | $120,140 | 300 | $76,739 |
| Virginia | $68,900 | $33.13 | $49,390 | $125,740 | 770 | $68,148 |
| Iowa | $67,060 | $32.24 | $35,960 | $100,130 | 130 | $76,411 |
| Utah | $66,780 | $32.11 | $48,410 | $94,490 | 220 | $67,547 |
| Indiana | $66,520 | $31.98 | $49,990 | $92,450 | 320 | $71,275 |
| Oklahoma | $65,940 | $31.70 | $43,990 | $99,980 | 110 | $75,066 |
| Nebraska | $65,920 | $31.69 | $46,500 | $81,850 | 150 | $73,161 |
| New Mexico | $65,570 | $31.52 | $47,120 | $103,270 | 200 | $71,108 |
| Florida | $64,140 | $30.84 | $44,280 | $93,870 | 1,920 | $62,023 |
| Georgia | $63,600 | $30.58 | $46,490 | $89,600 | 550 | $66,048 |
| West Virginia | $63,330 | $30.45 | $41,990 | $83,950 | 110 | $70,762 |
| Arizona | $63,250 | $30.41 | $49,110 | $109,850 | 900 | $62,825 |
| New Jersey | $63,220 | $30.39 | $45,550 | $84,030 | 60 | $58,104 |
| Missouri | $62,750 | $30.17 | $45,940 | $92,350 | 350 | $69,095 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,580 | $29.61 | $47,740 | $94,520 | 360 | $63,112 |
| Kentucky | $61,470 | $29.55 | $48,470 | $74,710 | 60 | $68,180 |
| Texas | $59,870 | $28.78 | $42,430 | $82,640 | 1,900 | $61,685 |
| Alabama | $59,560 | $28.63 | $39,300 | $88,510 | 160 | $67,055 |
| North Carolina | $59,240 | $28.48 | $45,950 | $81,760 | 520 | $62,803 |
| Mississippi | $52,850 | $25.41 | $36,820 | $84,260 | 140 | $60,780 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 | $25.05 | $41,600 | $79,610 | 90 | $56,208 |
| South Carolina | $51,830 | $24.92 | $39,990 | $73,490 | 160 | $55,286 |
| South Dakota | $51,690 | $24.85 | $26,450 | $72,510 | 30 | $58,350 |
| Arkansas | $44,670 | $21.48 | $38,470 | $66,440 | 100 | $51,382 |
BLS does not publish pay for forensic science technicians in 10 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Forensic science technician salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes forensic science technician pay: 92 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Jose, CA $137,280
- Chicago, IL $112,790
- San Francisco, CA $109,930
- Akron, OH $106,330
- San Diego, CA $105,320
- Los Angeles, CA $104,410
- Oxnard, CA $102,810
- Sacramento, CA $101,780
- New Haven, CT $98,250
- Seattle, WA $95,460
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Jose, CA $124,322
- Akron, OH $113,880
- Chicago, IL $108,876
- Toledo, OH $104,237
- Topeka, KS $97,579
- Sacramento, CA $95,416
- San Francisco, CA $95,084
- San Diego, CA $94,131
- New Haven, CT $93,966
- Lansing, MI $93,346
All 92 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $137,280 | 140 | $124,322 | 33% |
| Chicago, IL | $112,790 | 260 | $108,876 | 23% |
| San Francisco, CA | $109,930 | 330 | $95,084 | 38% |
| Akron, OH | $106,330 | 80 | $113,880 | 15% |
| San Diego, CA | $105,320 | 220 | $94,131 | 34% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,410 | 1,170 | $91,938 | 34% |
| Oxnard, CA | $102,810 | 80 | $93,012 | 34% |
| Sacramento, CA | $101,780 | 160 | $95,416 | 27% |
| New Haven, CT | $98,250 | 70 | $93,966 | 25% |
| Seattle, WA | $95,460 | 230 | $85,897 | 28% |
| Toledo, OH | $95,330 | 40 | $104,237 | 16% |
| Lansing, MI | $88,670 | 110 | $93,346 | 18% |
| Portland, OR | $87,460 | 80 | $82,963 | 25% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $87,280 | 70 | $91,349 | 22% |
| Denver, CO | $87,170 | 340 | $82,405 | 26% |
| Albany, NY | $87,020 | 170 | $87,399 | 23% |
| Topeka, KS | $86,670 | 60 | $97,579 | 17% |
| Fresno, CA | $85,200 | 70 | $83,400 | 29% |
| Washington, DC | $85,070 | 660 | $78,129 | 34% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $84,010 | 30 | $83,420 | 25% |
| Riverside, CA | $82,320 | 280 | $77,338 | 37% |
| Missoula, MT | $82,200 | 40 | $85,230 | 24% |
| Buffalo, NY | $82,040 | 40 | $85,597 | 21% |
| Stockton, CA | $81,930 | 60 | $77,962 | 36% |
| Baltimore, MD | $81,780 | 300 | $78,268 | 28% |
| New York, NY | $81,670 | 800 | $72,555 | 52% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $79,970 | 70 | $79,268 | 27% |
| Boston, MA | $79,320 | 250 | $73,264 | 45% |
| Nashville, TN | $78,480 | 150 | $81,463 | 28% |
| Columbus, OH | $78,170 | 160 | $81,880 | 23% |
| Miami, FL | $77,820 | 490 | $68,170 | 41% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $77,630 | 170 | $81,121 | 24% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $76,960 | 120 | $73,420 | 27% |
| Naples, FL | $76,230 | 30 | $73,866 | 41% |
| Boise, ID | $75,460 | 110 | $76,694 | 31% |
| Jackson, TN | $74,020 | 40 | $86,551 | 23% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $73,740 | 140 | $76,070 | 25% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $72,510 | 30 | $78,328 | 21% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $71,780 | 140 | $71,162 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $71,470 | 70 | $73,463 | 30% |
| Des Moines, IA | $71,160 | 90 | $77,600 | 22% |
| Knoxville, TN | $70,500 | 70 | $76,159 | 29% |
| Richmond, VA | $70,160 | 140 | $71,696 | 29% |
| Austin, TX | $70,130 | 360 | $71,513 | 27% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $69,390 | 60 | $76,752 | 24% |
| North Port, FL | $67,750 | 60 | $66,151 | 37% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $67,640 | 30 | $70,100 | 27% |
| Birmingham, AL | $67,340 | 50 | $73,480 | 25% |
| Omaha, NE | $67,160 | 60 | $73,071 | 25% |
| Houston, TX | $66,440 | 300 | $67,364 | 30% |
| Rochester, NY | $66,340 | 40 | $68,367 | 28% |
| Roanoke, VA | $65,620 | 60 | $70,093 | 26% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $65,240 | 100 | $71,866 | 25% |
| Tampa, FL | $65,230 | 380 | $64,655 | 37% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $65,220 | 620 | $63,127 | 32% |
| Charleston, WV | $63,920 | 80 | $72,049 | 23% |
| Atlanta, GA | $63,840 | 370 | $63,803 | 35% |
| Savannah, GA | $63,840 | 50 | $67,055 | 33% |
| Wichita, KS | $63,420 | 60 | $71,302 | 23% |
| Bismarck, ND | $63,360 | 30 | $69,608 | 25% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $63,150 | 70 | $61,701 | 35% |
| Jackson, MS | $63,040 | 80 | $70,793 | 28% |
| Raleigh, NC | $62,790 | 70 | $63,969 | 32% |
| St. Louis, MO | $62,760 | 150 | $66,002 | 27% |
| Pensacola, FL | $62,270 | 60 | $63,725 | 33% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $62,160 | 30 | $63,011 | 29% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $62,120 | 150 | $63,426 | 36% |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,680 | 70 | $67,350 | 25% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $61,580 | 300 | $60,046 | 37% |
| Tucson, AZ | $61,380 | 160 | $63,346 | 29% |
| Greensboro, NC | $61,130 | 70 | $65,827 | 28% |
| Orlando, FL | $60,740 | 250 | $59,891 | 38% |
| San Antonio, TX | $59,950 | 160 | $63,294 | 28% |
| Memphis, TN | $59,660 | 30 | $64,722 | 28% |
| Charlotte, NC | $59,240 | 170 | $60,854 | 35% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $59,020 | 140 | $59,326 | 34% |
| El Paso, TX | $58,890 | 50 | $65,497 | 31% |
| Greenville, SC | $57,820 | 40 | $61,999 | 33% |
| Provo, UT | $57,470 | 30 | $58,504 | 37% |
| Dallas, TX | $57,180 | 590 | $55,466 | 35% |
| Lakeland, FL | $55,820 | 50 | $57,463 | 39% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $55,620 | 120 | $59,221 | 32% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,380 | 40 | $58,497 | 32% |
| McAllen, TX | $55,150 | 40 | $64,206 | 24% |
| Lubbock, TX | $54,970 | 40 | $60,197 | 29% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $51,710 | 30 | $55,800 | 33% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $51,330 | 50 | $51,327 | 44% |
| Asheville, NC | $51,050 | 40 | $52,898 | 40% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,670 | 40 | $54,002 | 35% |
| Columbia, SC | $45,990 | 60 | $49,102 | 41% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $45,950 | 40 | $49,922 | 40% |
| Little Rock, AR | $43,800 | 90 | $49,013 | 34% |
What the median forensic science technician salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $72,060 |
| Month | $6,005 |
| Every two weeks | $2,772 |
| Week | $1,386 |
| Hour | $34.65 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a forensic science technician: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +13.3% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 2,800 |
| Self-employed | 0.9% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical psychologist | $100,580 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Epidemiologist | $87,220 | Master's degree |
| Environmental scientist | $82,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| Geologist | $101,920 | Bachelor's degree |
| Economist | $124,720 | Master's degree |
| School psychologist | $95,990 | Master's degree |
| Nuclear technician | $110,240 | Associate's degree |
Questions about forensic science technician pay
How much does a forensic science technician make an hour?
The median is $34.65 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $23.20 and the top 10% over $56.37.
How much does a forensic science technician make a month?
About $6,005 a month before taxes at the median salary of $72,060, or $2,772 every two weeks.
What state pays forensic science technicians the most?
Illinois, with a median of $124,790. California ($102,100), Connecticut ($85,910), Colorado ($84,010) and Montana ($82,200) follow.
Where do forensic science technicians make the most after cost of living?
Illinois: its median of $124,790 is worth $124,842 at typical US prices. California, Montana and Connecticut come next.
How much do entry-level forensic science technicians make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of forensic science technicians earn under $48,250 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $57,830, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a forensic science technician?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 19-4092 (Forensic Science Technicians). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.