Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Forensic Science Technicians
SOC: 19-4092 O*NET: 19-4092.00
Median Salary
$67,440
per year
Job Growth
🚀 12.8%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
What does a Forensic Science Technicians do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$45,560
10th percentile
Early Career
$53,310
25th percentile
Median
$67,440
50th percentile
Experienced
$88,710
75th percentile
Top Earners
$110,710
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$45,560
25th
$53,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$67,440
Mean: $75,260
75th
$88,710
90th
$110,710
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $65,150 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $53,310 and $88,710
- •Salary spread is 52.5% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 19,450 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:20,700
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services6.5%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services6.5%
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services4.7%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+12.8%
Annual Openings:2,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)20,700
Current
2034 (Projected)23,300
+12.8%
+2,600
Employment Change
+12.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Forensic Science Technicians professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 45 locations
California
3,100 jobs$96,8501.36x
Florida
2,440 jobs$61,0701.97x
Texas
1,990 jobs$55,8301.14x
New York
1,120 jobs$78,1700.93x
Arizona
880 jobs$60,6202.19x
Virginia
740 jobs$62,8601.44x
Michigan
690 jobs$69,0401.24x
Georgia
540 jobs$58,5000.89x
North Carolina
520 jobs$50,4600.84x
Ohio
470 jobs$73,3100.67x
Pennsylvania
440 jobs$57,8200.58x
Colorado
430 jobs$77,8001.19x
Maryland
410 jobs$78,2201.19x
Illinois
380 jobs$117,5900.50x
Washington
340 jobs$77,6500.76x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Critical Thinking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Science
40%
Skills Overview
Critical Thinking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Science
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Animal Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Biological Technicians100%
5 shared skills
Physicians, Pathologists100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Precision Agriculture Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Active Learning
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Writing
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Forensic Science Technicians
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechLinux
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visio
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Office software
Linux
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (13)Documentation & Record-Keeping (3)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Operations & Execution (1)Planning & Development (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping94% perform96%
4
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform84%
10
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Forensic Science Technicians
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Forensic Science Technicians professionals typically have a ICR Holland code and highly value support
IInvestigative
CConventional
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Forensic Science Technicians
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.95
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.75
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.60
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.87
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.87
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.85
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
5.0
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.6
Cooperation
3.9
Adaptability/Flexibility
3.9
Self-Control
3.9
Analytical Thinking
3.8
Independence
3.7
Initiative
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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