The median pay for Forensic Science Technicians is $72,060 a year ($34.65/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 13.3% through 2035, with about 2,800 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 19-4092
- Life, Physical, and Social Science
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Forensic Science Technician 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: Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst), Crime Scene Analyst (CSA), Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech), Criminalist, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech).
Pay
How much do Forensic Science Technicians make?
Every forensic science technician 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 Science Technician 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.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State and local governments are expected to continue to hire forensic science technicians to process their high caseloads. Additionally, scientific and technological advances are expected to increase the availability, reliability, and usefulness of objective forensic information used as evidence in trials. As a result, more forensic science technicians will be needed to provide forensics information to law enforcement agencies and courts.
Getting in
How to become a Forensic Science Technician
Forensic science technicians typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. They may need on-the-job training to attain competency.
- 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 Science Technician do?
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Technicians often specialize in either crime scene or laboratory analysis.
Day-to-day tasks
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
- Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
- Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
- Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most forensic science technicians work full time. Crime scene technicians may work staggered day, evening, or night shifts and may have to work overtime because someone must be available at all times to collect or analyze evidence. Technicians working in laboratories may work a standard workweek, although they might have to be on call outside of normal business hours if they are needed to work immediately on a case.
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
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. 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.
Where forensic science technicians work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Local government, excluding education and hospitals64%
- State government, excluding education and hospitals27%
- Educational services; state, local, and private2%
- Testing laboratories and services2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 64% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 27% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 2% |
| Testing laboratories and services | 2% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
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 Science Technician?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Forensic Science Technician |
|---|---|
| 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.
- Investigative5.9
- Realistic5.2
- 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 Science Technician
O*NET related occupations
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- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
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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 Science Technician$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 Science Technician | $72,060 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,390 |
| Biological Technician | $57,510 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within forensic science technician
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Forensic Science Technician appears on
Questions
Forensic Science Technician: frequently asked questions
How much do Forensic Science Technicians make?
Forensic Science Technicians earn a median of $72,060 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 41% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $34.65/hr. The middle half earn between $57,830 and $94,520. The top 10% earn $117,250 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Forensic Science Technician?
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 Science Technician 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 Science Technician do?
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. A core O*NET task: testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings. 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 Science Technician?
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.