Forensic Science Technician salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Forensic Science Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $85,070 a year ($40.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 660 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,820 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 23% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $68,900. There are 0.21 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $92,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| 25th percentile | $66,140 | $31.80 |
| Median | $85,070 | $40.90 |
| 75th percentile | $109,920 | $52.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,820 | $63.85 |
| Average (mean) | $92,220 | $44.34 |
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 | $7,089.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,544.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,271.92 |
| Weekly | $1,635.96 |
| Hourly | $40.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,070 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $81,780 | 300 |
| Richmond, VA | $70,160 | 140 |
| Roanoke, VA | $65,620 | 60 |
| Charleston, WV | $63,920 | 80 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,120 | 150 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,580 | 300 |
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistant | $65,330 | $31.41 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Biological Technician | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $57,150 | $27.48 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Agricultural Technician | $58,730 | $28.24 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $66,930 | $32.18 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $138,250 | $66.47 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $107,110 | $51.49 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $114,920 | $55.25 |
| Economist | $156,750 | $75.36 |
| Political Scientist | $156,730 | $75.35 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $170,980 | $82.20 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $108,160 | $52.00 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $85,070 a year, or $40.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $132,820 a year. The top 25% earn $109,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,600 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $66,140 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 660 forensic science technicians are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.