Forensic Science Technicians Salary by State
The national median pay for forensic science technicians is $72,060 a year. By state, it ranges from $44,670 in Arkansas to $124,790 in Illinois.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $48,250
- 25th percentile
- $57,830
- Median
- $72,060
- 75th percentile
- $94,520
- Top 10%
- $117,250
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 19,120 jobs.
Median pay in 41 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illinois | $124,790 | +73% | $65,780 | $148,790 | 370 |
| 2 | California | $102,100 | +42% | $64,650 | $148,090 | 2,800 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $85,910 | +19% | $41,500 | $111,560 | 120 |
| 4 | Colorado | $84,010 | +17% | $63,080 | $114,100 | 510 |
| 5 | Montana | $82,200 | +14% | $55,640 | $104,410 | 60 |
| 6 | Maryland | $82,140 | +14% | $59,730 | $130,000 | 460 |
| 7 | New York | $81,670 | +13% | $63,970 | $105,920 | 1,140 |
| 8 | Washington | $81,310 | +13% | $61,290 | $108,300 | 390 |
| 9 | Nevada | $81,090 | +13% | $58,120 | $135,490 | 360 |
| 10 | Oregon | $80,950 | +12% | $58,210 | $135,010 | 110 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $79,320 | +10% | $64,520 | $120,000 | 290 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $76,960 | +7% | $58,660 | $107,170 | 140 |
| 13 | Vermont | $74,110 | +3% | $58,480 | $98,880 | 30 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $72,280 | 0% | $53,840 | $100,640 | 310 |
| 15 | Idaho | $71,160 | −1% | $50,040 | $117,430 | 160 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $71,090 | −1% | $59,170 | $102,160 | 40 |
| 17 | Maine | $70,870 | −2% | $44,260 | $84,050 | 40 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $70,500 | −2% | $47,730 | $120,140 | 300 |
| 19 | Virginia | $68,900 | −4% | $49,390 | $125,740 | 770 |
| 20 | Iowa | $67,060 | −7% | $35,960 | $100,130 | 130 |
| 21 | Utah | $66,780 | −7% | $48,410 | $94,490 | 220 |
| 22 | Indiana | $66,520 | −8% | $49,990 | $92,450 | 320 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $65,940 | −8% | $43,990 | $99,980 | 110 |
| 24 | Nebraska | $65,920 | −9% | $46,500 | $81,850 | 150 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $65,570 | −9% | $47,120 | $103,270 | 200 |
| 26 | Florida | $64,140 | −11% | $44,280 | $93,870 | 1,920 |
| 27 | Georgia | $63,600 | −12% | $46,490 | $89,600 | 550 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $63,330 | −12% | $41,990 | $83,950 | 110 |
| 29 | Arizona | $63,250 | −12% | $49,110 | $109,850 | 900 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $63,220 | −12% | $45,550 | $84,030 | 60 |
| 31 | Missouri | $62,750 | −13% | $45,940 | $92,350 | 350 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $61,580 | −15% | $47,740 | $94,520 | 360 |
| 33 | Kentucky | $61,470 | −15% | $48,470 | $74,710 | 60 |
| 34 | Texas | $59,870 | −17% | $42,430 | $82,640 | 1,900 |
| 35 | Alabama | $59,560 | −17% | $39,300 | $88,510 | 160 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $59,240 | −18% | $45,950 | $81,760 | 520 |
| 37 | Mississippi | $52,850 | −27% | $36,820 | $84,260 | 140 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $52,100 | −28% | $41,600 | $79,610 | 90 |
| 39 | South Carolina | $51,830 | −28% | $39,990 | $73,490 | 160 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $51,690 | −28% | $26,450 | $72,510 | 30 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $44,670 | −38% | $38,470 | $66,440 | 100 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Forensic Science Technicians salary questions
Which state pays forensic science technicians the most?
Illinois, with a median of $124,790 a year (+73% vs. the national median of $72,060). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays forensic science technicians the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $44,670 a year (−38% vs. national).
Where do most forensic science technicians work?
California has the most jobs, about 2,800, with a median of $102,100.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.