Forensic Science Technicians pay range in San Diego
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,060 a year or less, while the top 10% make $141,340 or more. The middle half of forensic science technicians in San Diego earn between $83,940 and $135,330.
- $68K10th
- $84K25th
- $105KMedian
- $135K75th
- $141K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $104,440 | $8,703 | $50.21 |
| Median | $105,320 | $8,777 | $50.63 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $83,940 | $6,995 | $40.36 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $135,330 | $11,278 | $65.06 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Forensic Science Technicians pay in San Diego vs. California and the U.S.
Forensic science technicians in San Diego earn about the same as the California average ($104,960) and 32% more than the U.S. average ($79,200). At the median the gap is +46% against the U.S. median of $72,060.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego | $104,440 | $105,320 | $68,060 | $141,340 | 220 |
| California | $104,960 | $102,100 | $64,650 | $148,090 | 2,800 |
| United States | $79,200 | $72,060 | $48,250 | $117,250 | 19,120 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Forensic Science Technicians salary after taxes in San Diego
On the average salary of $104,440, a single filer in San Diego takes home about $76,683 a year, or $6,390 a month and $2,949 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is San Diego a good place for forensic science technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the San Diego area are 12% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 111.9), so the average $104,440 buys what about $93,344 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in San Diego ($58,690). A typical home costs $946,365, or 9.1 years of this average salary before tax.
Forensic Science Technicians salary in other California cities
San Diego ranks 6th of 10 California metro areas for this job; San Jose pays the most ($132,690).
- San Jose$132,690
- San Francisco$127,560
- Los Angeles$107,010
- Sacramento$105,420
- Oxnard$104,680
- San Diego$104,440
- Fresno$90,100
- Riverside$87,970
- Stockton$80,580
- Bakersfield$77,390
Highest-paying cities for forensic science technicians
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($132,690).
- San Jose, CA$132,690
- San Francisco, CA$127,560
- Los Angeles, CA$107,010
- Chicago, IL$105,710
- Sacramento, CA$105,420
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Forensic Science Technicians salary in San Diego: questions
How much do forensic science technicians make an hour in San Diego?
$50.21 an hour on average, and $50.63 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level forensic science technicians salary in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,060 a year and the 25th percentile is $83,940, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the forensic science technicians take-home pay in San Diego?
About $76,683 a year ($6,390 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $104,440. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do forensic science technicians earn more in San Diego than elsewhere?
The average here is 32% more than the U.S. average for this job ($79,200).
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; area San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA (41740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.6%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.14, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.