How much does a forensic science technician make?

The median pay is $34.65 per hour — roughly $72,000 a year, with the real range running from about $23.20/hr (10th percentile) to $56.37/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a forensic science technician?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

What does a forensic science technician actually do all day?

Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.

Science

Forensic Science Technicians

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.

What it pays
Forensic Science Technicians earn a median of $34.65/hr — about $72,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $23.20/hr; the top 10% earn $56.37/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0.9% of forensic science technicians are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are analytical, organized and detail-focused and hands-on.

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Quick questions

How much does a forensic science technician make?: The median pay is $34.65 per hour — roughly $72,000 a year, with the real range running from about $23.20/hr (10th percentile) to $56.37/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a forensic science technician?: The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: medium preparation (Job Zone 3 of 5).
What does a forensic science technician actually do all day?: Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity. Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques. Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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