Forensic Science Technicians pay range in Knoxville
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,560 a year or less, while the top 10% make $127,040 or more. The middle half of forensic science technicians in Knoxville earn between $50,290 and $95,940.
- $49K10th
- $50K25th
- $70KMedian
- $96K75th
- $127K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $76,340 | $6,362 | $36.70 |
| Median | $70,500 | $5,875 | $33.89 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $50,290 | $4,191 | $24.18 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $95,940 | $7,995 | $46.12 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Forensic Science Technicians pay in Knoxville vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Forensic science technicians in Knoxville earn about the same as the Tennessee average ($75,770) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($79,200). At the median the gap is -2% against the U.S. median of $72,060.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | $76,340 | $70,500 | $48,560 | $127,040 | 70 |
| Tennessee | $75,770 | $70,500 | $47,730 | $120,140 | 300 |
| 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 Knoxville
On the average salary of $76,340, a single filer in Knoxville takes home about $62,535 a year, or $5,211 a month and $2,405 every two weeks. Taxes take 18% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Knoxville a good place for forensic science technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Knoxville area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.6), so the average $76,340 buys what about $82,468 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Knoxville ($47,080). A typical home costs $367,158, or 4.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Forensic Science Technicians salary in other Tennessee cities
Knoxville ranks 2nd of 4 Tennessee metro areas for this job; Nashville pays the most ($83,320).
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
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Forensic Science Technicians salary in Knoxville: questions
How much do forensic science technicians make an hour in Knoxville?
$36.70 an hour on average, and $33.90 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level forensic science technicians salary in Knoxville?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,560 a year and the 25th percentile is $50,290, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the forensic science technicians take-home pay in Knoxville?
About $62,535 a year ($5,211 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $76,340. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do forensic science technicians earn more in Knoxville than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less 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 Knoxville, TN (28940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.3%.
- 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 no state income tax.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.27, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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