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.
National median · BLS
$72,060
▲ +6.85%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$79,200
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
19,120
Jobs (BLS)
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Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.
Pay range for Forensic Science Technicians
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$48,250
25th
$57,830
Median (50th)
$72,060
75th
$94,520
90th — top pay
$117,250
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Forensic Science Technicians
BLS projects employment of forensic science technicians to grow 13.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 2,800 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
20,100 → 22,800
+2,700 jobs
Projected change
+13.3%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
2,800
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
0.9% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
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Forensic Science Technicians salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
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Skills & tools
Skills needed for Forensic Science Technicians
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Active Listening4.0
Critical Thinking4.0
Reading Comprehension4.0
Speaking4.0
Writing4.0
Complex Problem Solving3.6
Active Learning3.4
Judgment and Decision Making3.3
Monitoring3.3
Science3.3
Top knowledge areas
Law and Government4.5
Public Safety and Security4.2
Education and Training3.7
English Language3.6
Computers and Electronics3.4
Customer and Personal Service3.3
Administration and Management3.2
Chemistry3.1
Software and technology used
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointGuidance Software EnCase EnterpriseAdobe PhotoshopLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WordAutomated Biometric Identification System ABISCombined DNA Index System CODISComputer aided design and drafting CADD softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteDataWorks Plus Digital CrimeSceneDesignWare 3D EyeWitnessDM2 Bills of LadingEos Systems PhotoModeler
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
About the job
What forensic science technicians 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.
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Also called
Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech)CriminalistCSI (Crime Scene Investigator)Forensic ScientistCrime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst)Crime Scene Analyst (CSA)Evidence Technician (Evidence Tech)Forensic Science ExaminerForensic SpecialistLatent Print Examiner
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Forensic Science Technicians, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $72,060.
