Forensic Science Technicians Career, Salary and Skills
Forensic Science Technicians have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $72,060 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 19,120. Wage data is published for 133 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
19-4092.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$72,060
Hourly median
$34.65
Employment
19,120
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Writing | 4.00 | 4.12 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.62 | 3.62 |
| Active Learning | 3.38 | 3.88 |
| Science | 3.25 | 3.50 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.25 | 3.25 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Technology
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Word
- Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus
- Midwest Information Systems PAX-it
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database
- National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
- SmartDraw Legal
- The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
- Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
- Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Excel
- Adobe Photoshop
- Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS
Forensic Science Technicians salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in CAMedian $102,100 · Employment 2,800
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in FLMedian $64,140 · Employment 1,920
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in TXMedian $59,870 · Employment 1,900
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $104,410 · Employment 1,170
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in NYMedian $81,670 · Employment 1,140
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in AZMedian $63,250 · Employment 900
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in New York, NYMedian $81,670 · Employment 800
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in VAMedian $68,900 · Employment 770
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Washington, DCMedian $85,070 · Employment 660
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Phoenix, AZMedian $65,220 · Employment 620
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Dallas, TXMedian $57,180 · Employment 590
- Forensic Science Technicians Salary in GAMedian $63,600 · Employment 550
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Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.