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Forensic science technicians

Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information

Forensic science technicians in the United States earn a median salary of $72,060 per year — about $35 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 21K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +13%.

Median Salary

$72,060

~$35/hr · ~$6,005/mo

US Jobs

21K

Much faster than average

AI & Automation Risk

5/10

Moderate

AI & Automation Risk

Moderate 5/10

The role is a hybrid of physical evidence collection and digital analysis. While AI can significantly automate pattern recognition (fingerprints, ballistics) and statistical reporting, the job requires physical presence at crime scenes to collect samples and the human credibility necessary to testify in court as an expert witness.

Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home

Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.

City	Local Salary	Cost of Living	Real Purchasing Power
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE	$137,280	Above avg (113.1)	$121,423
Akron, OH	$106,330	Below avg (92.9)	$114,427
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$112,790	Average (102.5)	$110,054
Toledo, OH	$95,330	Below avg (90.6)	$105,193
Topeka, KS	$86,670	Below avg (85.8)	$100,968
Lansing-East Lansing, MI	$88,670	Below avg (93.0)	$95,317
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$105,320	Above avg (110.7)	$95,105
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$109,930	Above avg (117.6)	$93,517
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$101,780	Above avg (109.1)	$93,298
New Haven, CT	$98,250	Above avg (105.4)	$93,253
Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI	$87,280	Below avg (95.0)	$91,898
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$104,410	Above avg (114.7)	$90,990
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$102,810	Above avg (113.7)	$90,434
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$87,020	Average (98.2)	$88,636
Missoula, MT	$82,200	Below avg (93.9)	$87,530