How to Become a Forensic Science Technician
Collect and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes and labs to support criminal investigations. It typically requires a bachelor's degree, with a median salary of $72,060 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$72,060/yr
Middle half
$57,830 to $94,520
Job growth
Much faster than average
Openings / yr
2,900
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Evidence Collection
- Lab Analysis
- Chain of Custody
- Attention to Detail
- Report Writing
Helpful certifications
- ABC (American Board of Criminalistics) certification
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
8/100
Work-life balance
54/100
Stress level
64/100
Related careers
- Detective / Criminal Investigator$93,790 median
- Emergency Management Director$93,330 median
- Probation Officer$66,270 median
- Paralegal$62,890 median
- Firefighter$59,280 median
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Forensic Science Technician make?
The median pay for a Forensic Science Technician is $72,060 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $57,830 and $94,520 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become a Forensic Science Technician?
The usual entry point is a bachelor's degree. Common majors are Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, and Criminal Justice.
Is Forensic Science Technician a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is much faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 2,900 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does a Forensic Science Technician use most?
Common skills for this role are Evidence Collection, Lab Analysis, Chain of Custody, Attention to Detail, and Report Writing.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).