Forensic Science Technician salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
Forensic Science Technicians in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median of $65,230 a year ($31.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,230 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 2% higher than the Florida statewide median of $64,140. There are 0.26 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,840 | $20.60 |
| 25th percentile | $51,510 | $24.76 |
| Median | $65,230 | $31.36 |
| 75th percentile | $83,420 | $40.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,230 | $44.82 |
| Average (mean) | $66,570 | $32.01 |
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 | $5,435.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,717.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,508.85 |
| Weekly | $1,254.42 |
| Hourly | $31.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,230 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $77,820 | 490 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $76,230 | 30 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $67,750 | 60 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $63,150 | 70 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $62,270 | 60 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $60,740 | 250 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $59,020 | 140 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $55,820 | 50 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $55,620 | 120 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $51,330 | 50 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $69,440 | $33.39 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,700 | $24.38 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $56,780 | $27.30 |
| Food Science Technician | $49,610 | $23.85 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $60,700 | $29.19 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $86,890 | $41.77 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $85,490 | $41.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $62,680 | $30.14 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $83,460 | $40.13 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL
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 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $65,230 a year, or $31.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn at least $93,230 a year. The top 25% earn $83,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,840 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $51,510 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL?
About 380 forensic science technicians are employed in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.