Forensic Science Technicians pay range in Philadelphia
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,580 a year or less, while the top 10% make $105,530 or more. The middle half of forensic science technicians in Philadelphia earn between $60,390 and $87,460.
- $52K10th
- $60K25th
- $62KMedian
- $87K75th
- $106K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $70,620 | $5,885 | $33.95 |
| Median | $61,580 | $5,132 | $29.61 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $60,390 | $5,032 | $29.03 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $87,460 | $7,288 | $42.05 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Forensic Science Technicians pay in Philadelphia vs. Pennsylvania and the U.S.
Forensic science technicians in Philadelphia earn 4% more than the Pennsylvania average ($67,610) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($79,200). At the median the gap is -15% against the U.S. median of $72,060.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $70,620 | $61,580 | $51,580 | $105,530 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $67,610 | $61,580 | $47,740 | $94,520 | 360 |
| 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 Philadelphia
On the average salary of $70,620, a single filer in Philadelphia takes home about $56,343 a year, or $4,695 a month and $2,167 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in PA | $56,343 | $4,695 |
| Working in NJ | $56,157 | $4,680 |
| Working in MD | $55,368 | $4,614 |
| Working in DE | $55,081 | $4,590 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Is Philadelphia a good place for forensic science technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Philadelphia area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 102.6), so the average $70,620 buys what about $68,861 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Philadelphia ($54,310). A typical home costs $390,463, or 5.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Forensic Science Technicians salary in other Pennsylvania cities
Philadelphia ranks 1st of 3 Pennsylvania metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Philadelphia$70,620
- Harrisburg$64,110
- Pittsburgh$57,740
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Forensic Science Technicians salary in Philadelphia: questions
How much do forensic science technicians make an hour in Philadelphia?
$33.95 an hour on average, and $29.60 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level forensic science technicians salary in Philadelphia?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,580 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,390, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the forensic science technicians take-home pay in Philadelphia?
About $56,343 a year ($4,695 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $70,620. Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
Do forensic science technicians earn more in Philadelphia than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD (37980). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
- 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). Local earned income taxes (for example Philadelphia's wage tax) are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.85, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.