What Is the Annual Income of a Forensic Science Technician?
Popular television dramas such as "NCIS" and "CSI" have generated extensive interest in the work of forensic science technicians, sometimes referred to as crime scene technicians or investigators. Forensic technicians identify, gather and analyze types of physical evidence used to investigate crimes. They conduct scientific tests on the evidence and prepare reports on their findings. Becoming a forensic science technician requires extensive preparation, including a college degree in a science-oriented field, but government data suggest qualified men and women can expect a generous salary.
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Average Salary
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2009 that forensic science technicians earn an average of $55,070 a year. The bureau's data also indicated the range of annual earnings for this profession. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned $32,420 a year on average, while the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $92,000 a year.
Employment Sectors
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Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported forensic science technicians' earnings by type of employer. The top employers of forensic technicians included local governments, state governments, laboratories, the Federal Executive Branch of the federal government, and architectural and engineering services firms. Technicians employed by state and local governments had the lowest annual salaries, averaging $53,070 and $54,880, respectively. These two sectors were the largest employers of forensic technicians. The Federal Executive Branch was the highest-paying employer, with technicians there earning an average of $92,100 a year.
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Specialties
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Some forensic science technicians develop expertise in analyzing specific types of evidence, such as fingerprints, firearms or DNA. The website Inside Prison reported that fingerprint technicians earned between $30,000 and $46,000 a year, while firearms and tool mark examiners earned salaries ranging from $47,000 to $85,000 a year, depending on skill level. A DNA specialist, meanwhile, could earn between $62,000 and $75,000 a year, the website stated.
Geography
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The geographic areas in which forensic science technicians work affect the size of their salaries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' data indicate, for example, that technicians in Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., where the cost of living is higher, earn larger salaries than technicians in other states and cities.
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References
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