Forensic Science Technician salary in Iowa
Forensic Science Technicians in Iowa earn a median of $67,060 a year ($32.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,130 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $72,060. Iowa ranks 20th of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay. There are 0.08 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $67,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| 25th percentile | $51,960 | $24.98 |
| Median | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| 75th percentile | $77,360 | $37.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Average (mean) | $67,980 | $32.69 |
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 | $5,588.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,794.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,579.23 |
| Weekly | $1,289.62 |
| Hourly | $32.24 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $71,160 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $67,160 | 60 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Food Science Technician | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $50,480 | $24.27 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $40,940 | $19.68 |
| Agricultural Technician | $64,070 | $30.80 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,830 | $42.23 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $83,850 | $40.31 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $78,780 | $37.88 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Chemist | $86,100 | $41.39 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in Iowa is $67,060 a year, or $32.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Iowa?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in Iowa earn at least $100,130 a year. The top 25% earn $77,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,960 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $51,960 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Iowa?
About 130 forensic science technicians are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.