Forensic Science Technician salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Forensic Science Technicians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $62,120 a year ($29.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,350 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 10% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $68,900. There are 0.20 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| 25th percentile | $50,160 | $24.11 |
| Median | $62,120 | $29.87 |
| 75th percentile | $79,070 | $38.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,350 | $49.69 |
| Average (mean) | $67,630 | $32.51 |
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 | $5,176.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,588.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,389.23 |
| Weekly | $1,194.62 |
| Hourly | $29.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
| Richmond, VA | $70,160 | 140 |
| Roanoke, VA | $65,620 | 60 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $62,790 | 70 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $61,130 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,240 | 170 |
| Asheville, NC | $51,050 | 40 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,670 | 40 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $45,950 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,540 | $37.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Biological Technician | $48,600 | $23.37 |
| Nuclear Technician | $114,910 | $55.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Food Science Technician | $72,950 | $35.07 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $89,920 | $43.23 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $107,910 | $51.88 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $91,010 | $43.76 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,600 | $37.79 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,760 | $39.79 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $117,640 | $56.56 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $90,020 | $43.28 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $62,120 a year, or $29.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $103,350 a year. The top 25% earn $79,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,950 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $50,160 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 150 forensic science technicians are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.