Forensic Science Technician Salary
Forensic Science Technicians earn a median $72,060 a year nationally. Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
U.S. median
$72,060
$34.64 per hour
Range
$48,250 – $117,250
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
19,120
across the U.S.
Forensic Science Technician take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$59,524
per year · effective tax rate 17.4%
$4,960Monthly
$2,480Twice a month
$2,289Every 2 weeks
$28.62Hourly
- 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 |
Best cities for forensic science technicians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $104,410 | $75,445 | $66,432 | 1,170 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $85,070 | $64,414 | $59,159 | 660 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $77,820 | $63,576 | $55,693 | 490 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $81,670 | $62,472 | $55,499 | 800 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $65,220 | $53,163 | $51,456 | 620 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $57,180 | $48,124 | $46,682 | 590 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $104,410
- Washington, DC — $85,070
- New York, NY — $81,670
- Miami, FL — $77,820
- Phoenix, AZ — $65,220
- Dallas, TX — $57,180
Forensic Science Technician salary by state
| State | Median | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,790 | $90,528 | $65,780 – $148,790 | 370 |
| California | $102,100 | $74,064 | $64,650 – $148,090 | 2,800 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 | $66,118 | $41,500 – $111,560 | 120 |
| Colorado | $84,010 | $64,943 | $63,080 – $114,100 | 510 |
| Montana | $82,200 | $63,374 | $55,640 – $104,410 | 60 |
| Maryland | $82,140 | $63,077 | $59,730 – $130,000 | 460 |
| New York | $81,670 | $62,472 | $63,970 – $105,920 | 1,140 |
| Washington | $81,310 | $66,032 | $61,290 – $108,300 | 390 |
| Nevada | $81,090 | $65,877 | $58,120 – $135,490 | 360 |
| Oregon | $80,950 | $59,525 | $58,210 – $135,010 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,320 | $60,886 | $64,520 – $120,000 | 290 |
| Minnesota | $76,960 | $59,261 | $58,660 – $107,170 | 140 |
| Vermont | $74,110 | $58,535 | $58,480 – $98,880 | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $72,280 | $57,229 | $53,840 – $100,640 | 310 |
| Idaho | $71,160 | $56,228 | $50,040 – $117,430 | 160 |
| North Dakota | $71,090 | $58,715 | $59,170 – $102,160 | 40 |
| Maine | $70,870 | $55,085 | $44,260 – $84,050 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $58,427 | $47,730 – $120,140 | 300 |
| Virginia | $68,900 | $54,154 | $49,390 – $125,740 | 770 |
| Iowa | $67,060 | $54,110 | $35,960 – $100,130 | 130 |
| Utah | $66,780 | $53,771 | $48,410 – $94,490 | 220 |
| Indiana | $66,520 | $53,694 | $49,990 – $92,450 | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $65,940 | $52,741 | $43,990 – $99,980 | 110 |
| Nebraska | $65,920 | $53,027 | $46,500 – $81,850 | 150 |
| New Mexico | $65,570 | $52,949 | $47,120 – $103,270 | 200 |
| Florida | $64,140 | $53,716 | $44,280 – $93,870 | 1,920 |
| Georgia | $63,600 | $50,605 | $46,490 – $89,600 | 550 |
| West Virginia | $63,330 | $50,948 | $41,990 – $83,950 | 110 |
| Arizona | $63,250 | $51,629 | $49,110 – $109,850 | 900 |
| New Jersey | $63,220 | $51,032 | $45,550 – $84,030 | 60 |
| Missouri | $62,750 | $50,588 | $45,940 – $92,350 | 350 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,580 | $49,769 | $47,740 – $94,520 | 360 |
| Kentucky | $61,470 | $49,537 | $48,470 – $74,710 | 60 |
| Texas | $59,870 | $50,286 | $42,430 – $82,640 | 1,900 |
| Alabama | $59,560 | $47,323 | $39,300 – $88,510 | 160 |
| North Carolina | $59,240 | $47,924 | $45,950 – $81,760 | 520 |
| Mississippi | $52,850 | $43,263 | $36,820 – $84,260 | 140 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 | $44,042 | $41,600 – $79,610 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $51,830 | $41,873 | $39,990 – $73,490 | 160 |
| South Dakota | $51,690 | $43,713 | $26,450 – $72,510 | 30 |
| Arkansas | $44,670 | $36,543 | $38,470 – $66,440 | 100 |
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. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many forensic science technicians are there in the U.S.?
About 19,120 people work as forensic science technicians nationwide.