Forensic Science Technicians Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $72,060 · Median hourly: $34.65 · Employment: 19,120
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| 25th | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| Median | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| 75th | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| 90th | $117,250 | $56.37 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 19-4092
- Total U.S. employment: 19,120
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
How to interpret these figures
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $48,250, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $117,250 — a 2.4x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Forensic Science Technicians Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,560 | $28.64 | -17.3% | 160 |
| Arizona | $63,250 | $30.41 | -12.2% | 900 |
| Arkansas | $44,670 | $21.48 | -38.0% | 100 |
| California | $102,100 | $49.09 | +41.7% | 2,800 |
| Colorado | $84,010 | $40.39 | +16.6% | 510 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 | $41.30 | +19.2% | 120 |
| Florida | $64,140 | $30.84 | -11.0% | 1,920 |
| Georgia | $63,600 | $30.58 | -11.7% | 550 |
| Idaho | $71,160 | $34.21 | -1.2% | 160 |
| Illinois | $124,790 | $60.00 | +73.2% | 370 |
| Indiana | $66,520 | $31.98 | -7.7% | 320 |
| Iowa | $67,060 | $32.24 | -6.9% | 130 |
| Kentucky | $61,470 | $29.56 | -14.7% | 60 |
| Louisiana | — | — | — | 240 |
| Maine | $70,870 | $34.07 | -1.7% | 40 |
| Maryland | $82,140 | $39.49 | +14.0% | 460 |
| Massachusetts | $79,320 | $38.14 | +10.1% | 290 |
| Michigan | — | — | — | 650 |
| Minnesota | $76,960 | $37.00 | +6.8% | 140 |
| Mississippi | $52,850 | $25.41 | -26.7% | 140 |
| Missouri | $62,750 | $30.17 | -12.9% | 350 |
| Montana | $82,200 | $39.52 | +14.1% | 60 |
| Nebraska | $65,920 | $31.69 | -8.5% | 150 |
| Nevada | $81,090 | $38.99 | +12.5% | 360 |
| New Jersey | $63,220 | $30.39 | -12.3% | 60 |
| New Mexico | $65,570 | $31.52 | -9.0% | 200 |
| New York | $81,670 | $39.27 | +13.3% | 1,140 |
| North Carolina | $59,240 | $28.48 | -17.8% | 520 |
| North Dakota | $71,090 | $34.18 | -1.3% | 40 |
| Ohio | — | — | — | 470 |
| Oklahoma | $65,940 | $31.70 | -8.5% | 110 |
| Oregon | $80,950 | $38.92 | +12.3% | 110 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,580 | $29.60 | -14.5% | 360 |
| South Carolina | $51,830 | $24.92 | -28.1% | 160 |
| South Dakota | $51,690 | $24.85 | -28.3% | 30 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $33.90 | -2.2% | 300 |
| Texas | $59,870 | $28.79 | -16.9% | 1,900 |
| Utah | $66,780 | $32.11 | -7.3% | 220 |
| Vermont | $74,110 | $35.63 | +2.8% | 30 |
| Virginia | $68,900 | $33.12 | -4.4% | 770 |
| Washington | $81,310 | $39.09 | +12.8% | 390 |
| West Virginia | $63,330 | $30.45 | -12.1% | 110 |
| Wisconsin | $72,280 | $34.75 | +0.3% | 310 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 | $25.05 | -27.7% | 90 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
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- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for forensic science technicians?
The median annual wage for forensic science technicians is $72,060 ($34.65 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays forensic science technicians the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many forensic science technicians are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 19,120 forensic science technicians employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do forensic science technicians make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $34.65. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.