Thinking about a career in forensic science? Forensics has fulfilling jobs at each education level, making it accessible for many learners. This is great news for the industry, as the need for forensic science technicians is expected to grow by 12.6% over the next decade, faster than average.
This job typically requires a bachelor’s degree for entry, but this requirement varies based on the lab and the specialty.
Forensic Science Technicians
National data
Median Salary: $64,940
Projected job growth: 12.6%
10th Percentile: $41,410
25th Percentile: $50,480
75th Percentile: $84,720
90th Percentile: $107,490
Projected job growth: 12.6%
State data
State
Median Salary
Bottom 10%
Top 10%
Alabama
$55,850
$38,880
$75,770
Alaska
$71,610
$54,000
$101,700
Arizona
$64,620
$42,640
$109,850
Arkansas
$46,970
$34,900
$54,720
California
$89,610
$60,000
$138,690
Colorado
$78,570
$58,470
$105,920
Connecticut
$85,570
$40,120
$105,440
Florida
$56,490
$34,530
$88,600
Georgia
$56,500
$37,320
$81,600
Hawaii
$68,080
$53,960
$84,760
Idaho
$58,360
$37,440
$87,260
Illinois
$101,300
$54,070
$136,780
Indiana
$60,260
$39,850
$84,510
Iowa
$62,590
$33,900
$94,390
Kansas
$64,940
$47,760
$97,190
Kentucky
$54,560
$41,790
$67,140
Louisiana
N/A
N/A
N/A
Maine
$66,620
$43,120
$74,320
Maryland
$77,580
$49,350
$112,420
Massachusetts
$70,220
$55,220
$128,780
Michigan
$56,430
$26,950
$100,880
Minnesota
$75,620
$46,510
$101,940
Mississippi
$52,800
$32,860
$74,190
Missouri
$63,270
$45,990
$82,300
Montana
$62,620
$37,500
$80,890
Nebraska
$63,460
$41,310
$78,000
Nevada
$69,470
$47,010
$110,640
New Hampshire
$72,780
$54,160
$90,360
New Jersey
$59,650
$42,520
$73,340
New Mexico
$55,560
$40,040
$80,640
New York
$77,660
$51,330
$111,090
North Carolina
$49,650
$40,580
$75,560
Ohio
$65,070
$49,350
$104,000
Oklahoma
$54,750
$29,490
$89,600
Oregon
$75,040
$52,160
$104,830
Pennsylvania
$52,310
$37,830
$87,100
South Carolina
$48,740
$35,970
$61,700
Tennessee
$61,120
$42,090
$88,810
Texas
$55,600
$40,850
$84,690
Utah
$61,670
$43,660
$79,500
Virginia
$64,280
$42,920
$104,920
Washington
$76,850
$50,250
$102,840
West Virginia
$58,030
$36,880
$80,020
Wisconsin
$60,570
$43,300
$93,390
Wyoming
$59,830
$44,720
$84,020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Is the forensics job I’m looking at technically a “Forensic science technician”?
It’s very possible, particularly if the education required is at the bachelor level. The BLS classifies a great number of forensics jobs under “forensic science technician”:
Top 15 metro areas for forensic science technicians
Forensic science technician salaries vary with metropolitan areas as well. Usually because of factors like demand and cost of living, the salaries in cities can be a little higher than the surrounding areas.
Metro Area
Median Annual Salary
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
$115,320
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
$103,870
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA
$103,580
Akron, OH
$98,800
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA
$96,740
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA
$96,110
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
$91,340
New Haven, CT
$90,920
Reno, NV
$90,360
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI
$87,690
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA
$86,710
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY
$83,390
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO
$82,150
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT
$81,960
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
$81,010
What benefits can forensic scientists expect?
The field of forensic science generally offers a typical benefits package, including paid time off, sick time, holidays, health insurance, life insurance, and more. They also usually include retirement planning benefits like 401K matches. 62% of forensic science technician positions are with local governments according to the BLS, meaning these positions are often city employees with city employee benefits. Each local government varies in what it offers, but knowing where you intend to apply can help you look up benefits that might be accessible with the position.
Other forensic science jobs and their salaries
Some specialized forensic jobs can be classified by the BLS under a different job than forensic science technician. These titles include forensic chemists, forensic psychologists, medical examiners (pathologists), and more.
