Develops DNA profiles from crime scene evidence, compares them to known samples and databases, and reports the results to investigators and courts. 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
Forensic DNA Analyst 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: DNA Analyst, Forensic Biologist, Forensic Scientist, DNA, Forensic Biology Analyst, DNA Technical Leader.
Pay
How much do Forensic Science Technicians make?
Every forensic dna analyst 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 Forensic DNA Analyst 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 Forensic DNA Analyst
A bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science or a related field is the usual starting point. Labs that upload to CODIS follow the FBI Quality Assurance Standards, which require analysts to have college coursework in biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology along with statistics or population genetics, so check your transcript against those requirements early.
New analysts complete an in-house training program and competency tests before handling casework, then pass proficiency tests on a regular schedule. The American Board of Criminalistics offers certification in molecular biology. Many people get in through an internship or a lab technician job in a state or county crime lab.
- 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 Forensic DNA Analyst do?
Forensic DNA analysts work on the biology side of a crime lab. They screen evidence such as clothing, swabs and weapons for blood, saliva or other biological material, then extract DNA, measure how much is there, amplify it and generate a profile.
The hard part is interpretation. Many samples are mixtures of more than one person or contain only trace amounts, so analysts use statistics and probabilistic genotyping software to judge what the evidence supports. Profiles that meet the standards can be searched against CODIS, the FBI's national DNA index system, which can link cases or identify suspects. Analysts write reports, take part in technical review of each other's work, and testify about their findings.
Day-to-day tasks
- Examine evidence for blood, semen, saliva and touch DNA
- Extract, quantify and amplify DNA from evidence samples
- Interpret single-source and mixed DNA profiles
- Run probabilistic genotyping software and calculate match statistics
- Upload eligible profiles to CODIS and follow up on database hits
- Perform technical and administrative review of colleagues' cases
- Write case reports and testify as an expert witness
- Follow contamination controls and quality assurance procedures
Typical tasks, researched by NueCareer from the sources below.
Working conditions and hours
Analysts work in government crime labs and a smaller number of private forensic labs. The work is lab and desk based, with strict contamination controls, protective equipment and detailed documentation. Schedules are usually regular weekday hours, though case backlogs and court dates create deadlines.
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 Forensic DNA Analyst?
NueCareer estimate (Holland code IRC) built on O*NET's Forensic Science Technician profile, scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Forensic DNA Analyst |
|---|---|
| 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
Careers related to Forensic DNA Analyst
O*NET related occupations
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Protective Service
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Most earn $55K to $161K
+0.2%High school - Computer and Mathematical
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$62,930median a year
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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
- Forensic DNA Analyst$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 |
| Forensic DNA Analyst | $72,060 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Forensic DNA Analyst appears on
Questions
Forensic DNA Analyst: 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 Forensic DNA Analyst?
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 Forensic DNA Analyst 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 Forensic DNA Analyst do?
Forensic DNA analysts work on the biology side of a crime lab. A typical task: examine evidence for blood, semen, saliva and touch DNA. 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 Forensic DNA Analyst?
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.