Tennessee Median
$70,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.89
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $72,060
State Rank
#18 of 41
300 employed here
How much does a Forensic Science Technician make in Tennessee?
Forensic Science Technicians in Tennessee take home a median of $70,500 annually — roughly $33.89 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $72,060.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $47,730 while the top 10% make $120,140 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,030 and $95,940 a year.
Forensic Science Technician salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,730 | $22.95 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $54,030 | $25.98 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,500 | $33.89 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $95,940 | $46.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $120,140 | $57.76 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 18th 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 $70,870Virginia $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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($70,500) 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 Tennessee?
The median Forensic Science Technician salary in Tennessee is $70,500 per year, or about $33.89 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,730 at the entry level to $120,140 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Forensic Science Technicians about 2% less than the national median of $72,060. Tennessee ranks 18th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Forensic Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $70,500 a year. About 300 Forensic Science Technicians are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.