Forensic Science Technician salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Forensic Science Technicians in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $137,280 a year ($66.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,090 for the top 10%. That is 91% higher than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 34% higher than the California statewide median of $102,100. There are 0.12 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $132,690, close to the median.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,810 | $48.47 |
| 25th percentile | $102,820 | $49.43 |
| Median | $137,280 | $66.00 |
| 75th percentile | $162,090 | $77.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,090 | $77.93 |
| Average (mean) | $132,690 | $63.80 |
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 | $11,440 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,720 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,280 |
| Weekly | $2,640 |
| Hourly | $66.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $137,280 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,930 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,320 | 220 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,410 | 1,170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,810 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $101,780 | 160 |
| Fresno, CA | $85,200 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,320 | 280 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,930 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,970 | 70 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| Chemical Technician | $67,140 | $32.28 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $83,160 | $39.98 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| Food Science Technician | $59,580 | $28.65 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $159,300 | $76.59 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $128,980 | $62.01 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $133,790 | $64.32 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Chemist | $114,890 | $55.24 |
| Physicist | $173,450 | $83.39 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $106,510 | $51.21 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $137,280 a year, or $66.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $162,090 a year. The top 25% earn $162,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,810 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $102,820 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 140 forensic science technicians are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.