What Is the Salary Range for a Crime Scene Investigator?
Estimating the salary range of a crime scene investigator is difficult to do with precision because of the wide range of specialties that exist in the forensic science field. In addition, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the salaries of crime scene investigators vary with their education and experience.
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Identification
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Forensic scientists apply scientific methods to issues of law and justice. Thanks in part to the popularity of television series such as "CSI," people often refer to forensic scientists as crime scene investigators. Forensic scientists collect and analyze physical evidence at crime scenes. Examples include blood and other fluids, DNA, tissues and fibers, bullet casings and other weapons-related evidence. The website InsidePrison.com identified a wide range of job titles held by forensic science specialists, including crime scene technician, crime lab analyst, criminalist, evidence technician, firearms examiner, forensic scientist and others.
Salary Range
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that forensic science specialists had salaries ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 a year, as of 2010, noting that salaries vary by employer, as well as education, training and other qualifications held by a specific forensic specialist. In 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that forensic science technicians earned a median annual salary of $47,680.
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Types
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The salary range of a crime scene technician or investigator depends greatly on his or her exact job title. InsidePrison.com reported average wages and salaries for many forensic science jobs. A crime scene technician earned between $20 and $22 an hour, the website reported, while a crime scene analyst earned between $31 and $37 an hour, as of 2010. Meanwhile, criminalists and criminalist supervisors earn monthly salaries ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 a month.
Potential
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Experienced forensic scientists could advance to supervisory positions, such as manager of a crime lab or forensics lab. InsidePrison.com stated that these individuals earn annual salaries ranging from $58,000 to $77,000, as of 2010. Supervisory positions in forensic science may require additional education, such as a master's degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science or a related field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Considerations
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The American Academy of Forensic Sciences reports that your salary range as a crime scene investigator or criminalist will depend greatly on your education, job title and your employer. The academy adds, however, that every branch of forensic science offers opportunities for professional growth that increases your earning potential.
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References
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