Advertisement
Top 15 cities for forensic science technicians by average salary
| San Jose, CA | $132,690 |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $127,560 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $107,010 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,710 |
| Sacramento, CA | $105,420 |
| Oxnard, CA | $104,680 |
| San Diego, CA | $104,440 |
| Toledo, OH | $98,840 |
| Akron, OH | $95,040 |
| New Haven, CT | $94,640 |
| Washington, DC | $92,220 |
| Denver, CO | $91,890 |
| Seattle, WA | $90,700 |
| Portland, OR | $90,620 |
| Fresno, CA | $90,100 |
Map: Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro area
Loading map…
lower payhigher pay
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by state
Illinois pays forensic science technicians the most statewide, $108,760 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $108,760 | $124,790 | 370 | 1 | $105,710 | $105,710 |
| California | $104,960 | $102,100 | 2,800 | 10 | $132,690 | $77,390 |
| Ohio | n/a | n/a | 470 | 3 | $98,840 | $87,420 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $92,220 | $92,220 |
| Colorado | $89,400 | $84,010 | 510 | 2 | $91,890 | $85,840 |
| Maryland | $88,980 | $82,140 | 460 | 1 | $84,620 | $84,620 |
| Nevada | $86,640 | $81,090 | 360 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $86,260 | $79,320 | 290 | 1 | $87,460 | $87,460 |
| Michigan | n/a | n/a | 650 | 2 | $85,820 | $83,390 |
| Kansas | n/a | n/a | n/a | 2 | $85,340 | $69,210 |
| Washington | $85,260 | $81,310 | 390 | 1 | $90,700 | $90,700 |
| Oregon | $84,800 | $80,950 | 110 | 1 | $90,620 | $90,620 |
| New York | $84,050 | $81,670 | 1,140 | 4 | $85,260 | $73,290 |
| Connecticut | $83,340 | $85,910 | 120 | 1 | $94,640 | $94,640 |
| Virginia | $80,370 | $68,900 | 770 | 3 | $79,550 | $67,630 |
| Minnesota | $78,780 | $76,960 | 140 | 1 | $79,400 | $79,400 |
| Montana | $77,470 | $82,200 | 60 | 1 | $85,100 | $85,100 |
| Idaho | $77,120 | $71,160 | 160 | 1 | $81,180 | $81,180 |
| North Dakota | $76,750 | $71,090 | 40 | 1 | $76,490 | $76,490 |
| Tennessee | $75,770 | $70,500 | 300 | 4 | $83,320 | $57,030 |
| Vermont | $75,550 | $74,110 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Arizona | $72,120 | $63,250 | 900 | 2 | $75,120 | $67,130 |
| Wisconsin | $72,110 | $72,280 | 310 | 2 | $76,870 | $69,000 |
| New Mexico | $70,830 | $65,570 | 200 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $70,400 | $66,520 | 320 | 2 | $74,480 | $72,500 |
| Utah | $69,720 | $66,780 | 220 | 2 | $74,210 | $59,350 |
| Iowa | $67,980 | $67,060 | 130 | 1 | $71,940 | $71,940 |
| Oklahoma | $67,950 | $65,940 | 110 | 1 | $69,990 | $69,990 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,610 | $61,580 | 360 | 3 | $70,620 | $57,740 |
| Florida | $67,390 | $64,140 | 1,920 | 11 | $78,790 | $54,850 |
| Missouri | $66,900 | $62,750 | 350 | 1 | $76,120 | $76,120 |
| Georgia | $65,870 | $63,600 | 550 | 2 | $68,030 | $67,850 |
| Nebraska | $65,470 | $65,920 | 150 | 2 | $69,210 | $63,260 |
| Louisiana | n/a | n/a | 240 | 1 | $65,240 | $65,240 |
| Maine | $65,040 | $70,870 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $64,370 | $63,220 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alabama | $63,470 | $59,560 | 160 | 1 | $66,450 | $66,450 |
| West Virginia | $62,840 | $63,330 | 110 | 1 | $65,780 | $65,780 |
| Texas | $61,530 | $59,870 | 1,900 | 8 | $68,750 | $53,540 |
| North Carolina | $60,930 | $59,240 | 520 | 6 | $68,970 | $48,620 |
| Kentucky | $60,590 | $61,470 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Mississippi | $57,650 | $52,850 | 140 | 1 | $62,410 | $62,410 |
| Wyoming | $56,990 | $52,100 | 90 | 1 | $68,070 | $68,070 |
| South Dakota | $54,770 | $51,690 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| South Carolina | $53,750 | $51,830 | 160 | 2 | $59,900 | $47,770 |
| Arkansas | $48,750 | $44,670 | 100 | 1 | $47,330 | $47,330 |
Advertisement
Forensic Science Technicians salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $132,690 | $137,280 | $63.80 | 140 |
| San Francisco, CA | $127,560 | $109,930 | $61.33 | 330 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $107,010 | $104,410 | $51.45 | 1,170 |
| Chicago, IL | $105,710 | $112,790 | $50.82 | 260 |
| Sacramento, CA | $105,420 | $101,780 | $50.68 | 160 |
| Oxnard, CA | $104,680 | $102,810 | $50.33 | 80 |
| San Diego, CA | $104,440 | $105,320 | $50.21 | 220 |
| Toledo, OH | $98,840 | $95,330 | $47.52 | 40 |
| Akron, OH | $95,040 | $106,330 | $45.69 | 80 |
| New Haven, CT | $94,640 | $98,250 | $45.50 | 70 |
| Washington, DC | $92,220 | $85,070 | $44.34 | 660 |
| Denver, CO | $91,890 | $87,170 | $44.18 | 340 |
| Seattle, WA | $90,700 | $95,460 | $43.61 | 230 |
| Portland, OR | $90,620 | $87,460 | $43.57 | 80 |
| Fresno, CA | $90,100 | $85,200 | $43.32 | 70 |
| Riverside, CA | $87,970 | $82,320 | $42.29 | 280 |
| Boston, MA | $87,460 | $79,320 | $42.05 | 250 |
| Columbus, OH | $87,420 | $78,170 | $42.03 | 160 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $85,840 | $84,010 | $41.27 | 30 |
| Lansing, MI | $85,820 | $88,670 | $41.26 | 110 |
| Topeka, KS | $85,340 | $86,670 | $41.03 | 60 |
| Buffalo, NY | $85,260 | $82,040 | $40.99 | 40 |
| New York, NY | $85,170 | $81,670 | $40.95 | 800 |
| Missoula, MT | $85,100 | $82,200 | $40.91 | 40 |
| Albany, NY | $84,980 | $87,020 | $40.85 | 170 |
| Baltimore, MD | $84,620 | $81,780 | $40.69 | 300 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $83,390 | $87,280 | $40.09 | 70 |
| Nashville, TN | $83,320 | $78,480 | $40.06 | 150 |
| Boise, ID | $81,180 | $75,460 | $39.03 | 110 |
| Stockton, CA | $80,580 | $81,930 | $38.74 | 60 |
| Richmond, VA | $79,550 | $70,160 | $38.24 | 140 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $79,400 | $76,960 | $38.17 | 120 |
| Miami, FL | $78,790 | $77,820 | $37.88 | 490 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $77,390 | $79,970 | $37.21 | 70 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $76,870 | $73,740 | $36.96 | 140 |
| Bismarck, ND | $76,490 | $63,360 | $36.77 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $76,340 | $70,500 | $36.70 | 70 |
| St. Louis, MO | $76,120 | $62,760 | $36.60 | 150 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $75,120 | $65,220 | $36.11 | 620 |
| Jackson, TN | $74,740 | $74,020 | $35.93 | 40 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $74,480 | $77,630 | $35.81 | 170 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $74,210 | $71,780 | $35.68 | 140 |
| Rochester, NY | $73,290 | $66,340 | $35.24 | 40 |
| Roanoke, VA | $72,580 | $65,620 | $34.89 | 60 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $72,500 | $72,510 | $34.86 | 30 |
| Sarasota, FL | $72,500 | $67,750 | $34.86 | 60 |
| Naples, FL | $72,010 | $76,230 | $34.62 | 30 |
| Des Moines, IA | $71,940 | $71,160 | $34.59 | 90 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $70,620 | $61,580 | $33.95 | 300 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $69,990 | $69,390 | $33.65 | 60 |
| Omaha, NE | $69,210 | $67,160 | $33.28 | 60 |
| Wichita, KS | $69,210 | $63,420 | $33.27 | 60 |
| Madison, WI | $69,000 | $71,470 | $33.17 | 70 |
| Raleigh, NC | $68,970 | $62,790 | $33.16 | 70 |
| Austin, TX | $68,750 | $70,130 | $33.05 | 360 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $68,070 | $67,640 | $32.72 | 30 |
| Atlanta, GA | $68,030 | $63,840 | $32.71 | 370 |
| Savannah, GA | $67,850 | $63,840 | $32.62 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $67,630 | $62,120 | $32.51 | 150 |
| Tucson, AZ | $67,130 | $61,380 | $32.28 | 160 |
| Tampa, FL | $66,570 | $65,230 | $32.01 | 380 |
| Birmingham, AL | $66,450 | $67,340 | $31.95 | 50 |
| Charleston, WV | $65,780 | $63,920 | $31.63 | 80 |
| Fort Myers, FL | $65,320 | $63,150 | $31.40 | 70 |
| Houston, TX | $65,280 | $66,440 | $31.39 | 300 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $65,240 | $65,240 | $31.37 | 100 |
| Pensacola, FL | $64,210 | $62,270 | $30.87 | 60 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $64,110 | $62,160 | $30.82 | 30 |
| Charlotte, NC | $64,010 | $59,240 | $30.77 | 170 |
| Lincoln, NE | $63,260 | $61,680 | $30.41 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $63,110 | $59,020 | $30.34 | 140 |
| Orlando, FL | $62,470 | $60,740 | $30.03 | 250 |
| Jackson, MS | $62,410 | $63,040 | $30.00 | 80 |
| El Paso, TX | $62,380 | $58,890 | $29.99 | 50 |
| Greensboro, NC | $61,740 | $61,130 | $29.68 | 70 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,330 | $57,180 | $29.48 | 590 |
| Greenville, SC | $59,900 | $57,820 | $28.80 | 40 |
| Provo, UT | $59,350 | $57,470 | $28.53 | 30 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $58,680 | $55,620 | $28.21 | 120 |
| San Antonio, TX | $58,250 | $59,950 | $28.01 | 160 |
| Lakeland, FL | $57,740 | $55,820 | $27.76 | 50 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $57,740 | $55,380 | $27.76 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN | $57,030 | $59,660 | $27.42 | 30 |
| McAllen, TX | $55,280 | $55,150 | $26.58 | 40 |
| Asheville, NC | $55,000 | $51,050 | $26.44 | 40 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $54,850 | $51,330 | $26.37 | 50 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $54,150 | $51,710 | $26.03 | 30 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $53,900 | $49,670 | $25.91 | 40 |
| Lubbock, TX | $53,540 | $54,970 | $25.74 | 40 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $48,620 | $45,950 | $23.38 | 40 |
| Columbia, SC | $47,770 | $45,990 | $22.97 | 60 |
| Little Rock, AR | $47,330 | $43,800 | $22.75 | 90 |
Related jobs
- Biological TechniciansU.S. average $61,380
- Chemical TechniciansU.S. average $63,900
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including HealthU.S. average $60,800
- Social Science Research AssistantsU.S. average $66,140
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherU.S. average $66,280
- Food Science TechniciansU.S. average $56,660
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic TechniciansU.S. average $61,870
- Forest and Conservation TechniciansU.S. average $59,060
Advertisement
Forensic Science Technicians salary: questions
Where do forensic science technicians make the most money?
In San Jose, CA, with an average of $132,690 a year, among the 92 metro areas we cover.
What is the average forensic science technicians salary in the U.S.?
$79,200 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $72,060, so half of forensic science technicians earn more than that and half less.
What salary should forensic science technicians ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of forensic science technicians nationwide earn between $57,830 (25th percentile) and $94,520 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays forensic science technicians the most?
Illinois, with a statewide average of $108,760 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is forensic science technicians pay the lowest?
Little Rock, AR, at $47,330 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-4092.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.