The Average Salary of Ballistic Experts

Ballistic experts are specialists within the field of forensic science. They examine crime scenes for ballistics-related evidence and often serve as expert witnesses in criminal trials. The below salary information is from payscale.com, and is current as of 2009.

Average Salary

The average salary of a forensic scientist is $30,000 to $40,000 for those with no experience. With 10 years of experience, you can be expected to earn closer to $65,000 on average.

Employer Type

Most commonly, ballistic experts work for government, colleges and universities, or private companies. Private companies have the highest median salary (between $35,000 and $60,000), whereas colleges and universities have the lowest median salaries (between $20,000 and $40,000).

Geography

Geographic location has an impact on the salary. According to payscale.com, the average salary for forensic scientists is highest in Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

Considerations

Many forensic scientists, particularly ballistic experts, have additional sources of income in addition to their main salary. For example, many ballistic experts serve as aids to attorneys and expert witnesses at trials. According to a 2009 survey, the average expert makes $385 an hour for in-court testimony. Moreover, many ballistic experts also serve as part-time professors and lecturers.

Trends

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, as of 2009, forensic science jobs are expected to grow by 31 percent in the next 10 years.

References

• Criminal Justice Careers
• Payscale