Forensic science technicians salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| Mean (average) | $79,200 | $38.08 |
| 90th percentile | $117,250 | $56.37 |
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Forensic science technicians pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 44 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,560 | $39,300 | $88,510 | 160 | 0.61 |
| Arizona | $63,250 | $49,110 | $109,850 | 900 | 2.25 |
| Arkansas | $44,670 | $38,470 | $66,440 | 100 | 0.65 |
| California | $102,100 | $64,650 | $148,090 | 2,800 | 1.25 |
| Colorado | $84,010 | $63,080 | $114,100 | 510 | 1.46 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 | $41,500 | $111,560 | 120 | 0.59 |
| Florida | $64,140 | $44,280 | $93,870 | 1,920 | 1.57 |
| Georgia | $63,600 | $46,490 | $89,600 | 550 | 0.92 |
| Idaho | $71,160 | $50,040 | $117,430 | 160 | 1.51 |
| Illinois | $124,790 | $65,780 | $148,790 | 370 | 0.49 |
| Indiana | $66,520 | $49,990 | $92,450 | 320 | 0.81 |
| Iowa | $67,060 | $35,960 | $100,130 | 130 | 0.66 |
| Kentucky | $61,470 | $48,470 | $74,710 | 60 | 0.25 |
| Louisiana | Data unavailable | 240 | 0.99 | ||
| Maine | $70,870 | $44,260 | $84,050 | 40 | 0.46 |
| Maryland | $82,140 | $59,730 | $130,000 | 460 | 1.36 |
| Massachusetts | $79,320 | $64,520 | $120,000 | 290 | 0.65 |
| Michigan | Data unavailable | 650 | 1.21 | ||
| Minnesota | $76,960 | $58,660 | $107,170 | 140 | 0.37 |
| Mississippi | $52,850 | $36,820 | $84,260 | 140 | 0.99 |
| Missouri | $62,750 | $45,940 | $92,350 | 350 | 0.96 |
| Montana | $82,200 | $55,640 | $104,410 | 60 | 0.95 |
| Nebraska | $65,920 | $46,500 | $81,850 | 150 | 1.16 |
| Nevada | $81,090 | $58,120 | $135,490 | 360 | 1.91 |
| New Jersey | $63,220 | $45,550 | $84,030 | 60 | 0.11 |
| New Mexico | $65,570 | $47,120 | $103,270 | 200 | 1.84 |
| New York | $81,670 | $63,970 | $105,920 | 1,140 | 0.96 |
| North Carolina | $59,240 | $45,950 | $81,760 | 520 | 0.86 |
| North Dakota | $71,090 | $59,170 | $102,160 | 40 | 0.67 |
| Ohio | Data unavailable | 470 | 0.69 | ||
| Oklahoma | $65,940 | $43,990 | $99,980 | 110 | 0.5 |
| Oregon | $80,950 | $58,210 | $135,010 | 110 | 0.44 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,580 | $47,740 | $94,520 | 360 | 0.49 |
| South Carolina | $51,830 | $39,990 | $73,490 | 160 | 0.56 |
| South Dakota | $51,690 | $26,450 | $72,510 | 30 | 0.58 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $47,730 | $120,140 | 300 | 0.73 |
| Texas | $59,870 | $42,430 | $82,640 | 1,900 | 1.1 |
| Utah | $66,780 | $48,410 | $94,490 | 220 | 1.03 |
| Vermont | $74,110 | $58,480 | $98,880 | 30 | 0.87 |
| Virginia | $68,900 | $49,390 | $125,740 | 770 | 1.52 |
| Washington | $81,310 | $61,290 | $108,300 | 390 | 0.89 |
| West Virginia | $63,330 | $41,990 | $83,950 | 110 | 1.23 |
| Wisconsin | $72,280 | $53,840 | $100,640 | 310 | 0.85 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 | $41,600 | $79,610 | 90 | 2.51 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for forensic science technicians
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 2,800. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.9%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for forensic science technicians
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General CIP 26.0101
- Chemistry, General CIP 40.0501
- Forensic Chemistry CIP 40.0510
- Criminal Justice and Corrections, General CIP 43.0100
- Criminalistics and Criminal Science CIP 43.0402
- Forensic Science and Technology CIP 43.0406
- Forensic Anthropology CIP 45.0205
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
- Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
- Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Guidance Software EnCase Enterprise (in demand)
- Adobe Photoshop (hot technology)
- Linux (hot technology)
- Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Microsoft Visio (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS
- Combined DNA Index System CODIS
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- DM2 Bills of Lading
- DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
Transferable skills for career changers: Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Coordination, Service Orientation, Systems Analysis.
Common job titles: Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst), Crime Scene Analyst (CSA), Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), Criminalist, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech), Forensic Science Examiner, Forensic Scientist, Forensic Specialist, Latent Print Examiner.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do forensic science technicians make?
The national median annual wage for forensic science technicians was $72,060 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $48,250 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $117,250. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do forensic science technicians need?
BLS lists bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is forensic science technicians a growing career?
BLS projects employment of forensic science technicians to change +13.3% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 2,800 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay forensic science technicians the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were Illinois ($124,790), California ($102,100), Connecticut ($85,910). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.