The Average Salary of Forensic Specialists
With so many forensic specialties existing in professions ranging from medicine and nursing to economics and accounting, the average salary of a forensic specialist is not a precise figure. Often, a forensic specialist will earn a salary similar to that of other workers in her occupational field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, forensic training may enable a specialist to earn more in some cases.
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Forensic Technicians
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When many people think of forensic specialists, they think of television shows such as "CSI" or "NCIS," and of the individuals who collect and analyze evidence used in criminal investigations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies these crime scene investigators as forensic science technicians. According to bureau data, forensic science technicians receive an average salary of $55,070 a year. Most forensic technicians who specialize in crime scene evidence work for state and local agencies.
Types
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Many forensic science technicians gain expertise in analyzing specific types of physical evidence. Some technicians specialize in DNA, while others develop expertise in fingerprints, firearms examination or other types of evidence. The Inside Prison website reports salary figures for these and other forensic specialists. According to the website, fingerprint technicians earn between $30,000 and $46,000 a year, while firearms examiners' salaries range from as low as $24,000 to more than $80,000 a year, depending on their experience. Specialists with DNA expertise earn between $62,000 and $75,000 a year, according to Inside Prison.
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Potential
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Experienced forensic specialists with graduate-level degrees or other training can advance to supervisory forensics jobs such as criminalistics supervisors and crime laboratory directors. Inside Prison reported that criminalistics supervisors can earn between $60,000 and $84,000 a year, while crime lab directors' salaries range from $58,000 to $76,000 a year.
Other Specialists
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Forensic specialists are not limited to working at crime scenes and in police laboratories. Forensic specialists populate many other occupations, including, but not limited to, accounting, anthropology, economics, nursing, medicine, art, engineering and psychology. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports forensic specialists in these and other professions generally earn salaries similar to those received by other professionals in the broader occupation. In some cases, however, a forensic specialist may receive a higher salary because of specialized training or because the specialist provides services on a consulting basis while working full time in her larger profession.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit working in lab image by DXfoto.com from Fotolia.com
