Forensic Science Technicians pay range in Richmond
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,400 a year or less, while the top 10% make $108,510 or more. The middle half of forensic science technicians in Richmond earn between $64,050 and $99,650.
- $50K10th
- $64K25th
- $70KMedian
- $100K75th
- $109K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $79,550 | $6,629 | $38.25 |
| Median | $70,160 | $5,847 | $33.73 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $64,050 | $5,338 | $30.79 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $99,650 | $8,304 | $47.91 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Forensic Science Technicians pay in Richmond vs. Virginia and the U.S.
Forensic science technicians in Richmond earn about the same as the Virginia average ($80,370) and about the same as the U.S. average ($79,200). At the median the gap is -3% against the U.S. median of $72,060.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond | $79,550 | $70,160 | $50,400 | $108,510 | 140 |
| Virginia | $80,370 | $68,900 | $49,390 | $125,740 | 770 |
| 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 Richmond
On the average salary of $79,550, a single filer in Richmond takes home about $61,033 a year, or $5,086 a month and $2,347 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).
Is Richmond a good place for forensic science technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Richmond area are 2% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 97.9), so the average $79,550 buys what about $81,291 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Richmond ($51,460). A typical home costs $397,705, or 5.0 years of this average salary before tax.
Forensic Science Technicians salary in other Virginia cities
Richmond ranks 1st of 3 Virginia metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Richmond$79,550
- Roanoke$72,580
- Virginia Beach$67,630
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 Richmond: questions
How much do forensic science technicians make an hour in Richmond?
$38.24 an hour on average, and $33.73 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level forensic science technicians salary in Richmond?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $50,400 a year and the 25th percentile is $64,050, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the forensic science technicians take-home pay in Richmond?
About $61,033 a year ($5,086 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $79,550.
Do forensic science technicians earn more in Richmond than elsewhere?
The average here is about the same as 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 Richmond, VA (40060). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.5%.
- 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).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.76, this job is 1.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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