Forensic Science Technician salary in California
Forensic Science Technicians in California earn a median of $102,100 a year ($49.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,090 for the top 10%. That is 42% higher than the national median of $72,060. California ranks 2nd of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $104,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| 25th percentile | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Median | $102,100 | $49.09 |
| 75th percentile | $132,810 | $63.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,090 | $71.20 |
| Average (mean) | $104,960 | $50.46 |
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 | $8,508.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,254.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,926.92 |
| Weekly | $1,963.46 |
| Hourly | $49.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forensic Science Technician salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,280 | 140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,930 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,320 | 220 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $104,410 | 1,170 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,810 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $101,780 | 160 |
| Fresno, CA | $85,200 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,320 | 280 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,930 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,970 | 70 |
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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Biological Technician | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $61,220 | $29.43 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $60,250 | $28.97 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,200 | $26.06 |
| Agricultural Technician | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,410 | $33.37 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $70,790 | $34.03 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,270 | $47.72 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $136,990 | $65.86 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 | $49.44 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $116,000 | $55.77 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in California is $102,100 a year, or $49.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in California?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in California earn at least $148,090 a year. The top 25% earn $132,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,650 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $80,810 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in California?
About 2,800 forensic science technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.