Forensic Science Technician salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
Forensic Science Technicians in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median of $104,410 a year ($50.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,150 for the top 10%. That is 45% higher than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 2% higher than the California statewide median of $102,100. There are 0.19 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $107,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,890 | $30.24 |
| 25th percentile | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Median | $104,410 | $50.20 |
| 75th percentile | $134,420 | $64.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $142,150 | $68.34 |
| Average (mean) | $107,010 | $51.45 |
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 | $8,700.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,350.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,015.77 |
| Weekly | $2,007.88 |
| Hourly | $50.20 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $137,280 | 140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $109,930 | 330 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $105,320 | 220 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $102,810 | 80 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $101,780 | 160 |
| Fresno, CA | $85,200 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $82,320 | 280 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $81,930 | 60 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $79,970 | 70 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Technician | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| Biological Technician | $66,610 | $32.02 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,410 | $26.16 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Agricultural Technician | $63,630 | $30.59 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $72,660 | $34.93 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $86,450 | $41.56 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $134,890 | $64.85 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,610 | $49.33 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $99,250 | $47.72 |
| Chemist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| School Psychologist | $122,390 | $58.84 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA
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 Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $104,410 a year, or $50.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $142,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn at least $142,150 a year. The top 25% earn $134,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,890 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $80,810 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA?
About 1,170 forensic science technicians are employed in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.