Test-fires guns and compares bullets, cartridge cases and tool marks to determine whether they came from a particular weapon or tool. BLS does not publish separate figures for forensic science technicians; it counts them within forensic science technician (SOC 19-4092), whose median pay is $72,060 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-4092
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Firearms and Toolmark Examiner in four numbers
- Median pay
- $72,060a year, or $34.65/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $117K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +13.3%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+13.3%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +13.3% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,80020,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202520.1K
- Projected 203522.8K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 20.1K Projected 2035 22.8K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school29.3%
- Certificate36.3%
- Bachelor's15.3%
- Post-bacc certificate17.1%
- Master's2.1%
Highest education held by forensic science technicians Segment Value High school 29.3% Certificate 36.3% Bachelor's 15.3% Post-bacc certificate 17.1% Master's 2.1%
Also advertised as: Firearms Examiner, Forensic Firearms Examiner, Ballistics Expert, Toolmark Examiner, Forensic Scientist, Firearms.
Pay
How much do Forensic Science Technicians make?
Every firearms and toolmark examiner in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$72,060
Middle half earn $57,830 to $94,520
- 10th
- $48,250
- 25th
- $57,830
- 75th
- $94,520
- 90th
- $117,250
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,250 |
| 25th | $57,830 |
| Median | $72,060 |
| 75th | $94,520 |
| 90th | $117,250 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $72,060
- Median hourly wage
- $34.65/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $79,200
- People employed
- 19,120
Versus all US occupations
At $72,060, Forensic Science Technicians earn 41% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $21,080 a year.
Versus life, physical, and social science occupations
Inside the Life, Physical, and Social Science group, where the middle occupation pays $82,220, this is 12% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $117,250 or more while the bottom 10% earn $48,250, a gap of 2.4×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 46% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Illinois pays the most at $124,790, and still leads at $124,842 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Forensic Science Technicians the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Illinois | $124,790 | $124,842 | 370 |
| 2California | $102,100 | $92,215 | 2,800 |
| 3Connecticut | $85,910 | $82,917 | 120 |
| 4Colorado | $84,010 | $81,522 | 510 |
| 5Montana | $82,200 | $86,851 | 60 |
| 6Maryland | $82,140 | $78,259 | 460 |
| 7New York | $81,670 | $75,676 | 1,140 |
| 8Washington | $81,310 | $75,981 | 390 |
| 9Nevada | $81,090 | $81,107 | 360 |
| 10Oregon | $80,950 | $78,318 | 110 |
Job outlook
Is Firearms and Toolmark Examiner a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +13.3% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Forensic Science Technicians | +13.3% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Forensic Science Technicians to change 13.3% over 2025–2035, roughly 3.8× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 2,700 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,800 openings are projected each year, 13.9% of the 20,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner
Most labs hire people with a bachelor's degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology or another natural science, then put them through a long in-house training program. Training covers firearms mechanics, manufacturing, microscopy, NIBIN, report writing and mock trials, and new examiners work under supervision before handling cases alone.
The Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners is the main professional body and offers certification exams in firearm, toolmark and gunshot residue examination. Comfort handling and firing many kinds of weapons safely is part of the job. Many examiners come in through crime lab internships or technician roles, and some have military or law enforcement backgrounds.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as forensic science technicians.
- Post-Secondary Certificate36.3%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)29.3%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate17.1%
- Bachelor's Degree15.3%
- Master's Degree2.1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 36.3% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 29.3% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 17.1% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 15.3% |
| Master's Degree | 2.1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner do?
Firearms and toolmark examiners connect evidence to the weapons and tools that made it. They check whether a recovered gun functions, test-fire it into a water tank or trap, and compare the marks on test bullets and cartridge cases to evidence from a scene under a comparison microscope.
They also enter cartridge case images into NIBIN, the ATF's national ballistic imaging network, which can link shootings across a region. The same skills apply to toolmarks from pry bars, bolt cutters and knives. Other work includes serial number restoration, distance determination from gunshot residue patterns on clothing, and explaining firearms mechanics and the basis for conclusions in court.
Day-to-day tasks
- Inspect recovered firearms for function and safety
- Test-fire weapons to collect reference bullets and cartridge cases
- Compare evidence and test-fired items under a comparison microscope
- Enter cartridge case images into NIBIN and review correlation leads
- Restore obliterated serial numbers on firearms
- Estimate muzzle-to-target distance from residue patterns on clothing
- Examine toolmarks left by pry bars, cutters and other tools
- Write reports and testify about firearms and toolmark findings
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Examiners work in state, county, city and federal crime labs. The job mixes microscope work at a desk with test-firing in an indoor range or water tank room, which involves noise, lead exposure controls and strict safety rules. Hours are mostly regular, with court testimony and urgent shooting cases breaking the routine.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Active Learning3.4
- Science3.3
- Monitoring3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.4 |
| Science | 3.3 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Coordination3.1
- Service Orientation3.0
- Systems Analysis3.0
- Systems Evaluation3.0
- Time Management3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Coordination | 3.1 |
| Service Orientation | 3.0 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.0 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRC) built on O*NET's Forensic Science Technician profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Firearms and Toolmark Examiner |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 6 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.0
- Realistic5.3
- Conventional5.0
- Artistic1.8
- Enterprising1.6
- Social1.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
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More life, physical, and social science careers
Median annual pay, with forensic science technicians highlighted
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologist$193,950
- Physicist$172,250
- Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists$103,410
- Chemist$91,240
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health$82,220
- Conservation Scientist$73,010
- Firearms and Toolmark Examiner$72,060
- Chemical Technician$60,390
- Biological Technician$57,510
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologist | $193,950 |
| Physicist | $172,250 |
| Medical Scientist, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 |
| Chemist | $91,240 |
| Environmental Scientist and Specialist, Including Health | $82,220 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,010 |
| Firearms and Toolmark Examiner | $72,060 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Firearms and Toolmark Examiner appears on
Questions
Firearms and Toolmark Examiner: frequently asked questions
How much do Forensic Science Technicians make?
BLS does not publish a separate wage for forensic science technicians. It counts them within forensic science technician, whose median pay is $72,060 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of that occupation earn between $57,830 and $94,520, and the top 10% earn $117,250 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Forensic Science Technicians, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as some preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 36.3% hold post-secondary certificate.
Is Firearms and Toolmark Examiner a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 13.3% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,800 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner do?
Firearms and toolmark examiners connect evidence to the weapons and tools that made it. A typical task: inspect recovered firearms for function and safety. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Electronic mail software, Graphics or photo imaging software.
Which states pay Forensic Science Technicians the most?
The highest state medians for Forensic Science Technicians are Illinois ($124,790), California ($102,100), Connecticut ($85,910) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Firearms and Toolmark Examiner?
O*NET scores Forensic Science Technicians highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.