California Median
$102,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$49.09
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+42% vs US median
US median $72,060
State Rank
#2 of 41
2,800 employed here
How much does a Forensic Science Technician make in California?
A Forensic Science Technician working in California earns a median salary of $102,100 per year, or about $49.09 per hour. That is 42% above the national median of $72,060 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $64,650 while the top 10% make $148,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,810 and $132,810 a year.
Forensic Science Technician salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,650 | $31.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,810 | $38.85 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $102,100 | $49.09 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $132,810 | $63.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,090 | $71.20 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 41 states and territories for Forensic Science Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Forensic Science Technician salary in other states
Illinois $124,790Connecticut $85,910Colorado $84,010Montana $82,200Maryland $82,140New York $81,670Washington $81,310Nevada $81,090Oregon $80,950Massachusetts $79,320Minnesota $76,960Vermont $74,110Wisconsin $72,280Idaho $71,160North Dakota $71,090Maine $70,870Tennessee $70,500Virginia $68,900Iowa $67,060Utah $66,780Indiana $66,520Oklahoma $65,940Nebraska $65,920New Mexico $65,570Florida $64,140Georgia $63,600West Virginia $63,330Arizona $63,250New Jersey $63,220Missouri $62,750Pennsylvania $61,580Kentucky $61,470Texas $59,870Alabama $59,560North Carolina $59,240Mississippi $52,850Wyoming $52,100South Carolina $51,830South Dakota $51,690Arkansas $44,670
Working as a Forensic Science Technician in California
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Forensic Science Technicians in the United States. A certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($102,100) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Forensic Science Technician make in California?
The median Forensic Science Technician salary in California is $102,100 per year, or about $49.09 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,650 at the entry level to $148,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Forensic Science Technicians about 42% more than the national median of $72,060. California ranks 2nd out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Forensic Science Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $102,100 a year. About 2,800 Forensic Science Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Forensic Science Technician salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.