Forensic Science Technician Salary
Forensic Science Technicians earn a median $72,060 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
What forensic science technicians do
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +13.3% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 2,800
Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 13.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Forensic Science Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,023
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,468
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,045
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$59,524
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,250 | $23.20 | $40,949 |
| 25th percentile | $57,830 | $27.80 | $48,646 |
| Median (50th) | $72,060 | $34.64 | $59,524 |
| 75th percentile | $94,520 | $45.44 | $75,325 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,250 | $56.37 | $91,315 |
Forensic Science Technician salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,790 | +6.1% | $90,528 | $65,780 – $148,790 | 370 |
| California | $102,100 | +5.4% | $74,064 | $64,650 – $148,090 | 2,800 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 | +1.2% | $66,118 | $41,500 – $111,560 | 120 |
| Colorado | $84,010 | +8.0% | $64,943 | $63,080 – $114,100 | 510 |
| Montana | $82,200 | +4.6% | $63,374 | $55,640 – $104,410 | 60 |
| Maryland | $82,140 | +5.0% | $63,077 | $59,730 – $130,000 | 460 |
| New York | $81,670 | +4.5% | $62,472 | $63,970 – $105,920 | 1,140 |
| Washington | $81,310 | +4.7% | $66,032 | $61,290 – $108,300 | 390 |
| Nevada | $81,090 | +5.9% | $65,877 | $58,120 – $135,490 | 360 |
| Oregon | $80,950 | +3.6% | $59,525 | $58,210 – $135,010 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,320 | +5.5% | $60,886 | $64,520 – $120,000 | 290 |
| Minnesota | $76,960 | +11.9% | $59,261 | $58,660 – $107,170 | 140 |
| Vermont | $74,110 | +9.4% | $58,535 | $58,480 – $98,880 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $72,280 | +16.7% | $57,229 | $53,840 – $100,640 | 310 |
| Idaho | $71,160 | +17.7% | $56,228 | $50,040 – $117,430 | 160 |
| North Dakota | $71,090 | −4.5% | $58,715 | $59,170 – $102,160 | 40 |
| Maine | $70,870 | +3.1% | $55,085 | $44,260 – $84,050 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | +0.0% | $58,427 | $47,730 – $120,140 | 300 |
| Virginia | $68,900 | +9.6% | $54,154 | $49,390 – $125,740 | 770 |
| Iowa | $67,060 | +5.4% | $54,110 | $35,960 – $100,130 | 130 |
| Utah | $66,780 | +3.6% | $53,771 | $48,410 – $94,490 | 220 |
| Indiana | $66,520 | +1.1% | $53,694 | $49,990 – $92,450 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $65,940 | +1.5% | $52,741 | $43,990 – $99,980 | 110 |
| Nebraska | $65,920 | +4.0% | $53,027 | $46,500 – $81,850 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $65,570 | +5.9% | $52,949 | $47,120 – $103,270 | 200 |
| Florida | $64,140 | +5.0% | $53,716 | $44,280 – $93,870 | 1,920 |
| Georgia | $63,600 | +8.7% | $50,605 | $46,490 – $89,600 | 550 |
| West Virginia | $63,330 | +5.7% | $50,948 | $41,990 – $83,950 | 110 |
| Arizona | $63,250 | +4.3% | $51,629 | $49,110 – $109,850 | 900 |
| New Jersey | $63,220 | +16.6% | $51,032 | $45,550 – $84,030 | 60 |
| Missouri | $62,750 | −3.0% | $50,588 | $45,940 – $92,350 | 350 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,580 | +6.5% | $49,769 | $47,740 – $94,520 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $61,470 | +5.6% | $49,537 | $48,470 – $74,710 | 60 |
| Texas | $59,870 | +7.2% | $50,286 | $42,430 – $82,640 | 1,900 |
| Alabama | $59,560 | +0.0% | $47,323 | $39,300 – $88,510 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $59,240 | +17.4% | $47,924 | $45,950 – $81,760 | 520 |
| Mississippi | $52,850 | −3.4% | $43,263 | $36,820 – $84,260 | 140 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 | −14.1% | $44,042 | $41,600 – $79,610 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $51,830 | +3.7% | $41,873 | $39,990 – $73,490 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $51,690 | +4.9% | $43,713 | $26,450 – $72,510 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $44,670 | −3.3% | $36,543 | $38,470 – $66,440 | 100 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,280 | Associate's degree | +4.4% |
| Hydrologic Technician | $64,790 | Associate's degree | -1.3% |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,990 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 | Associate's degree | +4.9% |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 | Bachelor's degree | +7.4% |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,090 | Associate's degree | +6.9% |
| Forest and Conservation Technician | $54,560 | Associate's degree | -2.1% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,350 | Associate's degree | +3.6% |
| Food Science Technician | $52,130 | Associate's degree | +4.8% |
| Agricultural Technician | $49,630 | Associate's degree | +5.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forensic science technician make?
The national median salary for forensic science technicians is $72,060 a year ($34.64 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,250 and the top 10% earn over $117,250. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays forensic science technicians the most?
Illinois has the highest median pay at $124,790.
How many forensic science technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 19,120 people work as forensic science technicians nationwide.