Forensic Science Technician salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Forensic Science Technicians in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn a median of $61,580 a year ($29.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,530 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is about the same as the Pennsylvania statewide median of $61,580. There are 0.10 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,580 | $24.80 |
| 25th percentile | $60,390 | $29.04 |
| Median | $61,580 | $29.60 |
| 75th percentile | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Average (mean) | $70,620 | $33.95 |
Half of forensic science technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,368.46 |
| Weekly | $1,184.23 |
| Hourly | $29.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,580 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Forensic Science Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,070 | 660 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $81,780 | 300 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $81,670 | 800 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $62,160 | 30 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,380 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for forensic science technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $124,790 |
| California | $102,100 |
| Connecticut | $85,910 |
| Colorado | $84,010 |
| Montana | $82,200 |
| Maryland | $82,140 |
| New York | $81,670 |
| Washington | $81,310 |
| Nevada | $81,090 |
| Oregon | $80,950 |
See Forensic Science Technician pay in every state or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Chemical Technician | $66,940 | $32.18 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $64,840 | $31.18 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,280 | $29.94 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Agricultural Technician | $52,510 | $25.25 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,950 | $49.49 |
| Chemist | $95,440 | $45.88 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $134,090 | $64.47 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,090 | $42.35 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $112,690 | $54.18 |
| School Psychologist | $82,190 | $39.51 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forensic science technician make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area is $61,580 a year, or $29.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area earn at least $105,530 a year. The top 25% earn $87,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,580 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $60,390 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
About 300 forensic science technicians are employed in the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.