Forensic Scientist salary: how much does a forensic scientist make?
A forensic scientist in the US earns a median of $72,060 a year, about $34.65 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,250 and the top 10% earn over $117,250. Pay depends heavily on the state: the top-paying state, Illinois, has a median of $124,790.
Forensic Scientist pay calculator
Gross pay before taxes. If you enter your own hourly rate, it replaces the BLS figure. Otherwise hourly rate = BLS annual figure ÷ 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the same convention BLS uses.
How much does a forensic scientist make an hour?
The median forensic scientist earns $34.65 an hour. Hourly pay ranges from about $23.20 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56.37 for the highest-paid 10%.
| Pay level | Per year | Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (bottom 10%) | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Lower 25% | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| Median (typical) | $72,060 | $34.65 |
| Upper 25% | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Top 10% | $117,250 | $56.37 |
Forensic Scientist salary by state
Median annual pay for forensic scientists by state, from BLS May 2025 data. “Not published” means BLS did not release a figure for that state, usually because too few employers reported this job there.
| State | Median per year | ≈ Per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $59,560 | $28.63 |
| Alaska | Not published | – |
| Arizona | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Arkansas | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| California | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| Colorado | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 | $41.30 |
| Delaware | Not published | – |
| District of Columbia | Not published | – |
| Florida | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Georgia | $63,600 | $30.58 |
| Hawaii | Not published | – |
| Idaho | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| Illinois | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Indiana | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| Iowa | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Kansas | Not published | – |
| Kentucky | $61,470 | $29.55 |
| Louisiana | Not published | – |
| Maine | $70,870 | $34.07 |
| Maryland | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Massachusetts | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| Michigan | Not published | – |
| Minnesota | $76,960 | $37.00 |
| Mississippi | $52,850 | $25.41 |
| Missouri | $62,750 | $30.17 |
| Montana | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Nebraska | $65,920 | $31.69 |
| Nevada | $81,090 | $38.99 |
| New Hampshire | Not published | – |
| New Jersey | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| New Mexico | $65,570 | $31.52 |
| New York | $81,670 | $39.26 |
| North Carolina | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| North Dakota | $71,090 | $34.18 |
| Ohio | Not published | – |
| Oklahoma | $65,940 | $31.70 |
| Oregon | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,580 | $29.61 |
| Rhode Island | Not published | – |
| South Carolina | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| South Dakota | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| Tennessee | $70,500 | $33.89 |
| Texas | $59,870 | $28.78 |
| Utah | $66,780 | $32.11 |
| Vermont | $74,110 | $35.63 |
| Virginia | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| Washington | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| West Virginia | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Wisconsin | $72,280 | $34.75 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 | $25.05 |
Highest-paying states for forensic scientists
- Illinois: $124,790 median
- California: $102,100 median
- Connecticut: $85,910 median
- Colorado: $84,010 median
- Montana: $82,200 median
The lowest published medians are in Arkansas ($44,670), South Dakota ($51,690), South Carolina ($51,830), Wyoming ($52,100), Mississippi ($52,850). The most forensic scientist jobs are in California (2,800 jobs), Florida (1,920 jobs), Texas (1,900 jobs), New York (1,140 jobs), Arizona (900 jobs).
How much does a forensic scientist make a month?
At the median salary of $72,060, a forensic scientist earns about $6,005 a month, $2,772 every two weeks or $1,386 a week, before taxes.
Entry-level vs. experienced forensic scientist pay
New forensic scientists typically start near the bottom of the range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,250 a year and the lowest 25% under $57,830. The top 25% earn over $94,520 and the top 10% over $117,250. BLS does not break pay down by years of experience; these percentiles are the closest official measure.
Forensic Scientist salary vs. similar jobs
| Job | Median per year |
|---|---|
| Forensic scientist | $72,060 |
| Marine biologist | $76,780 |
Forensic science salary
Forensic science jobs in crime labs, medical examiner offices and police departments pay a median $72,060 a year ($34.65 an hour); the top 10% earn over $117,250. Most are employed by state and local governments.
Forensic psychology salary
Forensic psychologists are licensed psychologists, which BLS counts with clinical and counseling psychologists: median $100,580 a year, top 10% over $180,960. It's a different career from forensic science: it needs a doctorate in psychology. See psychologist salary.
Forensic Scientist take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a forensic scientist make?
The US median is $72,060 a year ($34.65 an hour), based on BLS May 2025 data.
How much does a forensic scientist make an hour?
The median is about $34.65 an hour. The bottom 10% earn about $23.20 and the top 10% about $56.37 an hour.
Which state pays forensic scientists the most?
Illinois has the highest median at $124,790, followed by California ($102,100) and Connecticut ($85,910).
How much does a forensic scientist make a month?
At the US median of $72,060 a year, about $6,005 a month or $2,772 every two weeks, before taxes.
How much does an entry-level forensic scientist make?
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,250 a year and the lowest 25% under $57,830, the closest official measure of starting pay.
How much do the top 10% of forensic scientists make?
The top 10% earn over $117,250 a year; the top 25% earn over $94,520.
How much does a forensic scientist make in California, Texas, Florida and New York?
Median annual pay is $102,100 in California, $59,870 in Texas, $64,140 in Florida, $81,670 in New York, per BLS May 2025 data.
Last reviewed October 31, 2026. All figures are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 survey (occupation code 19-4092, “Forensic Science Technicians”), the most recent official release; “median” means half earn more and half earn less. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. See the BLS OEWS tables and the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. This page is general information, not career or financial advice.