Forensic Science Technician salary in Knoxville, TN
Forensic Science Technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $70,500 a year ($33.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,040 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $70,500. There are 0.16 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,560 | $23.34 |
| 25th percentile | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| Median | $70,500 | $33.90 |
| 75th percentile | $95,940 | $46.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,040 | $61.08 |
| Average (mean) | $76,340 | $36.70 |
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 | $5,875 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,937.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,711.54 |
| Weekly | $1,355.77 |
| Hourly | $33.90 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $78,480 | 150 |
| Jackson, TN | $74,020 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,660 | 30 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,050 | $29.83 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,230 | $24.15 |
| Nuclear Technician | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $47,370 | $22.78 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,720 | $49.39 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $78,110 | $37.55 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,420 | $36.26 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| School Psychologist | $76,850 | $36.95 |
| Physicist | $165,010 | $79.33 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $51,110 | $24.57 |
| Chemist | $99,790 | $47.98 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $78,130 | $37.56 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $70,500 a year, or $33.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $127,040 a year. The top 25% earn $95,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,560 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $50,290 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Knoxville, TN?
About 70 forensic science technicians are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.