Forensic Science Technicians: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Life, Physical, and Social Science · SOC 19-4092 · O*NET 19-4092.00
Forensic Science Technicians fall under the Life, Physical, and Social Science category in the U.S. occupational classification. Forensic Science Technicians earn a median salary of $67,440 per year, ranking in the top 35% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +12.8% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do forensic science technicians earn?
The median annual wage for forensic science technicians is $67,440. That puts forensic science technicians at #285 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
Is forensic science technicians a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for forensic science technicians is +12.8%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 20K positions in 2024 to 23K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.
What education does my child need to become forensic science technician?
The standard path into forensic science technicians begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about forensic science technicians
What is the median salary for forensic science technicians?
The median annual salary for forensic science technicians is $67,440 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is forensic science technicians a growing career?
BLS projects +12.8% growth for forensic science technicians from 2024 through 2034, which is fast growth projected to grow faster than the US average.
What education does my child need to become forensic science technician?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to forensic science technicians?
Related occupations within the Life, Physical, and Social Science category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.