How Much Does a Forensic Scientist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$72,060
Forensic scientists in the U.S. earn a median of $72,060 a year, or $34.65 an hour. Half of forensic scientists earn more than $72,060 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $117,250.
Pay percentiles for forensic scientists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23.20 | $48,250 |
| 25th | $27.81 | $57,830 |
| 50th (median) | $34.65 | $72,060 |
| 75th | $45.44 | $94,520 |
| 90th | $56.37 | $117,250 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for forensic scientists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,790 | $60.00 | +73% |
| California | $102,100 | $49.09 | +42% |
| Connecticut | $85,910 | $41.30 | +19% |
| Colorado | $84,010 | $40.39 | +17% |
| Montana | $82,200 | $39.52 | +14% |
| Maryland | $82,140 | $39.49 | +14% |
| New York | $81,670 | $39.27 | +13% |
| Washington | $81,310 | $39.09 | +13% |
| Nevada | $81,090 | $38.99 | +13% |
| Oregon | $80,950 | $38.92 | +12% |
| United States | $72,060 | $34.65 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many forensic scientists are there?
BLS counts about 19,120 forensic scientists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Forensic Science Technicians”. The most jobs are in California (2,800), Florida (1,920) and Texas (1,900).
The mean (average) annual wage is $79,200, higher than the median of $72,060.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $6,005
- Biweekly
- $2,772
- Weekly
- $1,386
- Daily (8 hours)
- $277
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do forensic scientists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for forensic scientists is $34.65. The middle 50% earn between $27.81 and $45.44 an hour.
Which state pays forensic scientists the most?
Illinois has the highest median wage for forensic scientists at $124,790, +73% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for forensic scientists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of forensic scientists earn less than $48,250 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.