How much does a Forensic Science Technician make?
A Forensic Science Technician earns a median annual salary of $72,060 in the United States, which works out to roughly $34.64 per hour for full-time work. Most Forensic Science Technicians earn between $48,250 at the entry level and $117,250 at the senior end, with the middle 50% taking home between $57,830 and $94,520 a year.
That is $10,670 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Forensic Science Technician salary range by percentile
Half of all Forensic Science Technicians earn between $57,830 and $94,520 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,250 | $23.20 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,830 | $27.80 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,060 | $34.64 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $94,520 | $45.44 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,250 | $56.37 |
Highest-paying states for Forensic Science Technician
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Illinois leads the country for Forensic Science Technician pay at $124,790 a year, followed by California ($102,100) and Connecticut ($85,910). At the other end, Arkansas posts the lowest median at $44,670 — a gap of $80,120 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $124,790 | $60.00 | +73% |
| 2 | California | $102,100 | $49.09 | +42% |
| 3 | Connecticut | $85,910 | $41.30 | +19% |
| 4 | Colorado | $84,010 | $40.39 | +17% |
| 5 | Montana | $82,200 | $39.52 | +14% |
Forensic Science Technician salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 41 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 19,000 people work as Forensic Science Technicians in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $79,200 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a certificate or diploma program (usually 6 to 18 months) is the typical entry path, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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