Forensic Science Technician Salary in Washington, DC
Forensic Science Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $85,070 a year — 18% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $64,414 take-home, or $5,368 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median forensic science technician salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,885
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,274
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,234
- District of Columbia income tax$4,262
- Take-home pay$64,414
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Forensic Science Technician pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,600 | $23.85 | $40,224 | $3,352 |
| 25th percentile | $66,140 | $31.80 | $52,471 | $4,373 |
| Median (50th) | $85,070 | $40.90 | $64,414 | $5,368 |
| 75th percentile | $109,920 | $52.85 | $79,784 | $6,649 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,820 | $63.86 | $93,727 | $7,811 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $85,070 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median forensic science technician's $64,414 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,159 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.7× 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
Washington, DC ranks #2 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 Washington, DC?
The median forensic science technician salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $85,070 a year, or about $40.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $66,140 and $109,920.
What is a forensic science technician’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $85,070 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $64,414 a year ($5,368 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,262 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a forensic science technician?
Pay here is 18% above the national median of $72,060. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,159 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #2 of 6 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a forensic science technician afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median forensic science technician’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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