Forensic Science Technician salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Forensic Science Technicians in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $82,040 a year ($39.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,240 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is about the same as the New York statewide median of $81,670. There are 0.07 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $85,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| 25th percentile | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Median | $82,040 | $39.44 |
| 75th percentile | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,240 | $48.67 |
| Average (mean) | $85,260 | $40.99 |
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 | $6,836.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,418.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,155.38 |
| Weekly | $1,577.69 |
| Hourly | $39.44 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $87,020 | 170 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $81,670 | 800 |
| Rochester, NY | $66,340 | 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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,150 | $28.92 |
| Chemical Technician | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Food Science Technician | $61,870 | $29.74 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $94,370 | $45.37 |
| School Psychologist | $83,300 | $40.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,390 | $48.74 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $106,440 | $51.18 |
| Chemist | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $76,700 | $36.87 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $100,510 | $48.32 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,270 | $39.56 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $99,530 | $47.85 |
| Biochemists and Biophysicists | $81,480 | $39.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $82,040 a year, or $39.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $101,240 a year. The top 25% earn $98,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,270 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $78,630 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 40 forensic science technicians are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.