How Much Does a Crime Scene Cleaner Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$49,450
Crime scene cleaners in the U.S. earn a median of $49,450 a year, or $23.78 an hour. Half of crime scene cleaners earn more than $49,450 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $82,410.
Pay percentiles for crime scene cleaners
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.49 | $38,460 |
| 25th | $21.50 | $44,720 |
| 50th (median) | $23.78 | $49,450 |
| 75th | $29.58 | $61,530 |
| 90th | $39.62 | $82,410 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Hazardous Materials Removal Workers (SOC 47-4041). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for crime scene cleaners
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $73,090 | $35.14 | +48% |
| Illinois | $61,330 | $29.49 | +24% |
| Alaska | $60,320 | $29.00 | +22% |
| District of Columbia | $60,240 | $28.96 | +22% |
| North Dakota | $60,160 | $28.92 | +22% |
| Washington | $60,160 | $28.92 | +22% |
| Tennessee | $60,090 | $28.89 | +22% |
| Colorado | $59,920 | $28.81 | +21% |
| Missouri | $59,120 | $28.42 | +20% |
| Minnesota | $59,100 | $28.41 | +20% |
| United States | $49,450 | $23.78 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many crime scene cleaners are there?
BLS counts about 51,710 crime scene cleaners employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Hazardous Materials Removal Workers”. The most jobs are in California (7,340), Texas (4,450) and New York (4,090).
The mean (average) annual wage is $56,430, higher than the median of $49,450.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,121
- Biweekly
- $1,902
- Weekly
- $951
- Daily (8 hours)
- $190
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do crime scene cleaners make an hour?
The median hourly wage for crime scene cleaners is $23.78. The middle 50% earn between $21.50 and $29.58 an hour.
Which state pays crime scene cleaners the most?
New York has the highest median wage for crime scene cleaners at $73,090, +48% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for crime scene cleaners?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of crime scene cleaners earn less than $38,460 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.