The Average Salary for Crime Scene Investigators

Forensic science technicians or crime scene investigators collect and analyze evidence to assist with the investigation of crimes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the field of forensic science will grow to 17,000 by 2016.

Average Annual Salary

Forensic scientists averaged an annual salary of $52,960 as of May 2008.

Salary Range

The lowest paid 10 percent of crime scene investigators received salaries around $30,990, while the highest paid 10 percent earned $80,330 as of May 2008.

Largest Employers

The largest employers of forensic science technicians in May 2008 were local and state governments, where investigators earned average salaries of $53,300 and $51,910, respectively.

Highest Paying Employers

In 2008, the highest paying employers of crime scene investigators were the federal government, architectural services, investigation services and medical laboratories. Technicians working in these fields averaged between $90,150 and $53,670.

Highest Paying Areas

In May 2008, the states with the highest paid crime scene investigators were Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Kansas, Connecticut, and California, where workers received average incomes of between $83,440 and $65,160.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Industry Overview
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Compensation Information