Forensic Science Technician Salary Guide 2025: Median $72,060, 12.8% Growth

How much Forensic Science Technicians earn

The national median for forensic science technicians is $72,060 per year. That's the midpoint: half of all technicians earn less, half earn more. The average (mean) is $79,200, pulled up by high earners at the top. At $35 an hour, a typical 40-hour week yields about $1,400 before taxes.

The full range spans from $48,250 at the 10th percentile to $117,250 at the 90th. Pay depends largely on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions in smaller labs often start near the lower end, while senior criminalists in major metro areas can clear six figures.

Industry also matters. The largest employer is local government (often police crime labs), but federal agencies and private labs may offer different pay scales. The BLS groups forensic science technicians with other life, physical, and social science technicians when calculating national averages.

Pay by state

Forensic science technician salaries vary dramatically by state. Illinois tops the list with a mean annual wage of $124,790—nearly $60,000 above the national average. California follows at $102,100, then Connecticut ($85,910), Colorado ($84,010), and Montana ($82,200). These higher wages often reflect cost-of-living and strong public-safety budgets.

At the lower end, South Carolina pays $51,830, South Dakota $51,690, and Arkansas $44,670. Choosing a state like Arkansas means earning roughly one-third of what an Illinois technician makes. Note that these are mean wages, not median, but the ranking is consistent across sources.

If you're considering relocating for this career, weigh the salary against local living costs. A $102k salary in California may stretch less than $82k in Montana. Also check state licensing requirements, as some states mandate certification or specific coursework.

• Highest-paying: Illinois ($124,790), California ($102,100), Connecticut ($85,910), Colorado ($84,010), Montana ($82,200)
• Lowest-paying: South Carolina ($51,830), South Dakota ($51,690), Arkansas ($44,670)

How to become Forensic Science Technician

The typical path starts with a bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or a related natural science. Many employers also accept a degree in criminal justice with heavy science coursework. Accreditation from FEPAC (Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission) can boost your application, but it's not always required.

After graduation, you usually enter as a trainee or entry-level technician. On-the-job training lasts six months to two years, depending on the lab. Some states require certification through the American Board of Criminalistics or a state-specific program. Licensure exists in a handful of states, so check local laws.

Common steps: earn a bachelor's in a hard science, gain lab experience through internships or academic research, apply for technician roles at government crime labs, and pursue certification once eligible. Promotions to senior analyst or supervisor often require additional experience or a master's degree.

• Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or related field.
• Step 2: Get lab experience via internships, research, or entry-level technician jobs.
• Step 3: Apply for positions at local, state, or federal crime labs.
• Step 4: Obtain professional certification (optional but helpful) after meeting experience requirements.

Job outlook

The BLS projects 12.8% growth from 2024 to 2034 for forensic science technicians—much faster than the 4% average for all occupations. That translates to about 2,900 new openings each year over the decade, mostly to replace retiring workers and to staff new forensic technologies.

Why the strong outlook? Caseloads remain high, and DNA analysis, digital forensics, and trace evidence disciplines are expanding. Local and state governments continue funding crime labs, partly due to backlogs from the pandemic. However, competition for jobs in desirable states (like California) can be stiff, while rural areas may have fewer applicants.

For comparison, the 2033 projections from earlier BLS data cited 13% growth and a $67k median. The updated 2024-2034 numbers show higher pay and similar growth. If you're willing to move or work in less popular locations, job prospects improve significantly.

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