Iowa Median
$67,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $72,060
State Rank
#20 of 41
130 employed here
How much does a Forensic Science Technician make in Iowa?
Forensic Science Technicians in Iowa take home a median of $67,060 annually — roughly $32.24 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $72,060.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $35,960 while the top 10% make $100,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,960 and $77,360 a year.
Forensic Science Technician salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,960 | $17.29 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,960 | $24.98 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,060 | $32.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,360 | $37.19 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,130 | $48.14 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 20th 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 $124,790California $102,100Connecticut $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 $68,900Utah $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($67,060) 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 Iowa?
The median Forensic Science Technician salary in Iowa is $67,060 per year, or about $32.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,960 at the entry level to $100,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Forensic Science Technicians about 7% less than the national median of $72,060. Iowa ranks 20th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Forensic Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $67,060 a year. About 130 Forensic Science Technicians are employed in Iowa. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), 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.