Forensic Science Technician salary in Charleston, WV
Forensic Science Technicians in the Charleston, WV metro area earn a median of $63,920 a year ($30.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,750 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 1% higher than the West Virginia statewide median of $63,330. There are 0.76 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 6.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Charleston, WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| 25th percentile | $57,730 | $27.76 |
| Median | $63,920 | $30.73 |
| 75th percentile | $75,430 | $36.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,750 | $40.75 |
| Average (mean) | $65,780 | $31.63 |
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 | $5,326.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,663.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,458.46 |
| Weekly | $1,229.23 |
| Hourly | $30.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,070 | 660 |
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 West Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston, WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $60,420 | $29.05 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $96,990 | $46.63 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $61,380 | $29.51 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $74,090 | $35.62 |
| School Psychologist | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Chemist | $88,640 | $42.62 |
| Conservation Scientist | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $78,840 | $37.90 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Charleston, 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 Charleston, WV?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Charleston, WV metro area is $63,920 a year, or $30.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Charleston, WV?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Charleston, WV metro area earn at least $84,750 a year. The top 25% earn $75,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Charleston, WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,120 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $57,730 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Charleston, WV?
About 80 forensic science technicians are employed in the Charleston, WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.