Forensic Science Technician salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Forensic Science Technicians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $95,460 a year ($45.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,190 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 17% higher than the Washington statewide median of $81,310. There are 0.11 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,700, close to the median.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,090 | $32.73 |
| 25th percentile | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Median | $95,460 | $45.90 |
| 75th percentile | $98,760 | $47.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,190 | $57.31 |
| Average (mean) | $90,700 | $43.61 |
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 | $7,955 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,977.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,671.54 |
| Weekly | $1,835.77 |
| Hourly | $45.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $95,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,460 | 80 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Food Science Technician | $79,850 | $38.39 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,260 | $28.97 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $56,610 | $27.22 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $108,580 | $52.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $109,500 | $52.65 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $108,040 | $51.94 |
| Chemist | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $105,140 | $50.55 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $95,460 a year, or $45.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,190 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $119,190 a year. The top 25% earn $98,760 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,090 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $80,410 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 230 forensic science technicians are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.