The Average Salary of a Crime Lab Analyst
Crime lab analysts are forensic science technicians who test and analyze evidence brought into the laboratory from a crime scene. Some of these professionals specialize in certain areas of forensic analysis such as firearms, DNA, fingerprints and toxicology. This occupation requires at least a bachelor's degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology or a related discipline. Salary can vary for this occupation based on several factors.
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National Average
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Payscale reported a national average base salary ranging between $36,435 and $58,784 in October 2010. Some employer offer bonuses, ranging between $590 and $3,052 per year. The total compensation was reported between $34,943 and $59,996 per year.
Industries
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The majority of these professionals work in the law enforcement industry, paying an average salary between $39,148 and $57,595 per year. Another popular industry is business intelligence/private investigation, with average salaries ranging from $37,942 to $55,687 per year. Some crime lab analysts may consult for attorneys, as well as jurisdictions that do not have crime lab analysts on staff.
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Experience
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Although crime scene analysts use a variety of training, techniques and laboratory equipment to help analyze evidence, they often continuously learn new techniques and methods to solve crimes. Gaining experience can often lead to more employment opportunities, as well as salary increases. Most of these professionals -- 61 percent -- have between one and nine years of experience. For those with one to four years of experience, average salaries ranged between $30,252 and $39,663 per year. Those with four to nine years of experience made average salaries ranging between $47,500 and $61,748 per year.
Geography
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Salary can vary based on the geographical location of this occupation. Larger metropolitan areas require more law enforcement professionals. Jurisdictions with higher crime rates may also require more forensic technicians and scientists, including criminal lab analysts. The Bureau of Labor Statistics listed the highest wages in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan division, with annual mean wages of $78,430 for forensic technicians.
Future Jobs
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Overall, forensic science technician occupations are expected to increase 22 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This increase, which is much higher than the average for all occupations, is expected due to increasing applications in forensics to solve crimes.
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References
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