Forensic Science Technicians pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,600 a year or less, while the top 10% make $132,820 or more. The middle half of forensic science technicians in Washington earn between $66,140 and $109,920.
- $50K10th
- $66K25th
- $85KMedian
- $110K75th
- $133K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $92,220 | $7,685 | $44.34 |
| Median | $85,070 | $7,089 | $40.90 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $66,140 | $5,512 | $31.80 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $109,920 | $9,160 | $52.85 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Forensic Science Technicians pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Forensic science technicians in Washington earn 16% more than the U.S. average ($79,200). At the median the gap is +18% against the U.S. median of $72,060.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $92,220 | $85,070 | $49,600 | $132,820 | 660 |
| 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 Washington
On the average salary of $92,220, a single filer in Washington takes home about $68,837 a year, or $5,736 a month and $2,648 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $70,372 | $5,864 |
| Working in MD | $69,538 | $5,795 |
| Working in VA | $69,218 | $5,768 |
| Working in DC | $68,837 | $5,736 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for forensic science technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $92,220 buys what about $84,696 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 6.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Forensic Science Technicians salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$84,620
- Richmond, VA$79,550
- Harrisburg, PA$64,110
- Philadelphia, PA$70,620
- Virginia Beach, VA$67,630
- Pittsburgh, PA$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
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Forensic Science Technicians salary in Washington: questions
How much do forensic science technicians make an hour in Washington?
$44.34 an hour on average, and $40.90 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level forensic science technicians salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,600 a year and the 25th percentile is $66,140, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the forensic science technicians take-home pay in Washington?
About $68,837 a year ($5,736 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $92,220.
Do forensic science technicians earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 16% more 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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 6.6%.
- 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 (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.71, this job is 1.7 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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