Forensic Science Technician salary in Illinois
Forensic Science Technicians in Illinois earn a median of $124,790 a year ($60.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $148,790 for the top 10%. That is 73% higher than the national median of $72,060. Illinois ranks 1st of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.06 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $108,760, close to the median.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,780 | $31.63 |
| 25th percentile | $79,190 | $38.07 |
| Median | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| 75th percentile | $129,590 | $62.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $148,790 | $71.53 |
| Average (mean) | $108,760 | $52.29 |
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 | $10,399.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,199.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,799.62 |
| Weekly | $2,399.81 |
| Hourly | $60.00 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $112,790 | 260 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $59,930 | $28.81 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,790 | $25.38 |
| Biological Technician | $55,790 | $26.82 |
| Nuclear Technician | $110,390 | $53.07 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Agricultural Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Food Science Technician | $60,820 | $29.24 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $53,280 | $25.62 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $52,870 | $25.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,330 | $39.58 |
| School Psychologist | $84,690 | $40.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in Illinois is $124,790 a year, or $60.00 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 Illinois?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in Illinois 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 Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,780 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $79,190 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Illinois?
About 370 forensic science technicians are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.