Forensic Science Technician Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Forensic Science Technicians in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $104,410 a year — 45% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,445 take-home, or $6,287 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median forensic science technician salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,140
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,473
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,514
- California income tax$5,481
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$1,357
- Take-home pay$75,445
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 9.30% state
Forensic Science Technician pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,890 | $30.24 | $50,072 | $4,173 |
| 25th percentile | $80,810 | $38.85 | $61,344 | $5,112 |
| Median (50th) | $104,410 | $50.20 | $75,445 | $6,287 |
| 75th percentile | $134,420 | $64.63 | $93,123 | $7,760 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,150 | $68.34 | $97,587 | $8,132 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,410 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median forensic science technician's $75,445 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,432 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Los Angeles, CA has 1.5× the national concentration of forensic science technician jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for forensic science technicians, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 6 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $104,410 | $75,445 | $66,432 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $85,070 | $64,414 | $59,159 |
| 3 | Miami, FL | $77,820 | $63,576 | $55,693 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $81,670 | $62,472 | $55,499 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $65,220 | $53,163 | $51,456 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $57,180 | $48,124 | $46,682 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 6 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forensic science technician make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median forensic science technician salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $104,410 a year, or about $50.20 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $80,810 and $134,420.
What is a forensic science technician’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $104,410 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $75,445 a year ($6,287 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,838 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a forensic science technician?
Pay here is 45% above the national median of $72,060. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,432 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #1 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a forensic science technician afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median forensic science technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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