Forensic Science Technician Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Forensic Science Technicians in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $65,220 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $53,163 take-home, or $4,430 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median forensic science technician salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,646
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,044
- Medicare (1.45%)$946
- Arizona income tax$1,422
- Take-home pay$53,163
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Forensic Science Technician pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,580 | $24.80 | $42,544 | $3,545 |
| 25th percentile | $56,680 | $27.25 | $46,514 | $3,876 |
| Median (50th) | $65,220 | $31.36 | $53,163 | $4,430 |
| 75th percentile | $86,610 | $41.64 | $67,804 | $5,650 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,850 | $52.81 | $83,572 | $6,964 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,220 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median forensic science technician's $53,163 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,456 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Phoenix, AZ has 2.1× 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
Phoenix, AZ ranks #5 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 Phoenix, AZ?
The median forensic science technician salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $65,220 a year, or about $31.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $56,680 and $86,610.
What is a forensic science technician’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $65,220 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $53,163 a year ($4,430 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,422 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a forensic science technician?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $72,060. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,456 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #5 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a forensic science technician afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median forensic science technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Phoenix, AZ
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $115,570
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $108,390
- Urban and Regional Planner — $107,470
- School Psychologist — $93,640
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist — $89,480
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health — $80,600
- Chemist — $78,060
- Social Science Research Assistant — $64,290
- Biological Technician — $61,280