Forensic Science Technicians pay range in Rochester
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,310 a year or less, while the top 10% make $97,770 or more. The middle half of forensic science technicians in Rochester earn between $65,280 and $77,470.
- $54K10th
- $65K25th
- $66KMedian
- $77K75th
- $98K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $73,290 | $6,108 | $35.24 |
| Median | $66,340 | $5,528 | $31.89 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $65,280 | $5,440 | $31.38 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $77,470 | $6,456 | $37.25 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Forensic Science Technicians pay in Rochester vs. New York and the U.S.
Forensic science technicians in Rochester earn 13% less than the New York average ($84,050) and 7% less than the U.S. average ($79,200). At the median the gap is -8% against the U.S. median of $72,060.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $73,290 | $66,340 | $54,310 | $97,770 | 40 |
| New York | $84,050 | $81,670 | $63,970 | $105,920 | 1,140 |
| United States | $79,200 | $72,060 | $48,250 | $117,250 | 19,120 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Forensic Science Technicians salary after taxes in Rochester
On the average salary of $73,290, a single filer in Rochester takes home about $56,964 a year, or $4,747 a month and $2,191 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Is Rochester a good place for forensic science technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Rochester area are 3% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.0), so the average $73,290 buys what about $75,529 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Rochester ($51,210). A typical home costs $285,034, or 3.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Forensic Science Technicians salary in other New York cities
Rochester ranks 4th of 4 New York metro areas for this job; Buffalo pays the most ($85,260).
Highest-paying cities for forensic science technicians
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($132,690).
- San Jose, CA$132,690
- San Francisco, CA$127,560
- Los Angeles, CA$107,010
- Chicago, IL$105,710
- Sacramento, CA$105,420
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Forensic Science Technicians salary in Rochester: questions
How much do forensic science technicians make an hour in Rochester?
$35.24 an hour on average, and $31.89 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level forensic science technicians salary in Rochester?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $54,310 a year and the 25th percentile is $65,280, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the forensic science technicians take-home pay in Rochester?
About $56,964 a year ($4,747 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $73,290. New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
Do forensic science technicians earn more in Rochester than elsewhere?
The average here is 7% less than the U.S. average for this job ($79,200).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-4092; area Rochester, NY (40380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). New York City (up to 3.876%) and Yonkers income taxes are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.59, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.59).
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