West Virginia Median
$63,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.45
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $72,060
State Rank
#28 of 41
110 employed here
How much does a Forensic Science Technician make in West Virginia?
A Forensic Science Technician working in West Virginia earns a median salary of $63,330 per year, or about $30.45 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $72,060 for this occupation.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $41,990 while the top 10% make $83,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,740 and $72,430 a year.
Forensic Science Technician salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $52,740 | $25.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,330 | $30.45 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $72,430 | $34.82 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,950 | $40.36 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 28th 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 $68,900Iowa $67,060Utah $66,780Indiana $66,520Oklahoma $65,940Nebraska $65,920New Mexico $65,570Florida $64,140Georgia $63,600Arizona $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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($63,330) 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 West Virginia?
The median Forensic Science Technician salary in West Virginia is $63,330 per year, or about $30.45 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,990 at the entry level to $83,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Forensic Science Technicians about 12% less than the national median of $72,060. West Virginia ranks 28th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Forensic Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $63,330 a year. About 110 Forensic Science Technicians are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.