Forensic Science Technician salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Forensic Science Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $112,790 a year ($54.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,790 for the top 10%. That is 57% higher than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 10% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $124,790. There are 0.06 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.46). The average (mean) salary is $105,710, close to the median.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,780 | $31.63 |
| 25th percentile | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Median | $112,790 | $54.23 |
| 75th percentile | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,790 | $71.53 |
| Average (mean) | $105,710 | $50.82 |
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 | $9,399.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,699.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,338.08 |
| Weekly | $2,169.04 |
| Hourly | $54.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $77,630 | 170 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $72,510 | 30 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $62,760 | 150 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $61,420 | $29.53 |
| Biological Technician | $57,700 | $27.74 |
| Nuclear Technician | $99,990 | $48.07 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $49,630 | $23.86 |
| Food Science Technician | $66,630 | $32.04 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Agricultural Technician | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $64,420 | $30.97 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,390 | $41.05 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,240 | $40.02 |
| School Psychologist | $90,620 | $43.57 |
| Chemist | $90,920 | $43.71 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $112,790 a year, or $54.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $148,790 a year. The top 25% earn $129,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,780 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $75,000 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 260 forensic science technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.