Forensic Science Technician salary in Asheville, NC
Forensic Science Technicians in the Asheville, NC metro area earn a median of $51,050 a year ($24.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,020 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 14% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $59,240. There are 0.22 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $55,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Asheville, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| 25th percentile | $51,050 | $24.54 |
| Median | $51,050 | $24.54 |
| 75th percentile | $59,910 | $28.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,020 | $29.82 |
| Average (mean) | $55,000 | $26.44 |
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 | $4,254.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,127.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,963.46 |
| Weekly | $981.73 |
| Hourly | $24.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forensic Science Technician salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $62,790 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,120 | 150 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $61,130 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,240 | 170 |
| 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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Asheville, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Biological Technician | $52,440 | $25.21 |
| Chemical Technician | $55,720 | $26.79 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $72,960 | $35.08 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,740 | $39.30 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,950 | $37.47 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $100,690 | $48.41 |
| Conservation Scientist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $96,510 | $46.40 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $152,550 | $73.34 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Chemist | $66,910 | $32.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Asheville, 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 Asheville, NC?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Asheville, NC metro area is $51,050 a year, or $24.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,300 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Asheville, NC?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Asheville, NC metro area earn at least $62,020 a year. The top 25% earn $59,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Asheville, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,300 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $51,050 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Asheville, NC?
About 40 forensic science technicians are employed in the Asheville, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.