Forensic Science Technician salary in Montana
Forensic Science Technicians in Montana earn a median of $82,200 a year ($39.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,410 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $72,060. Montana ranks 5th of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.12 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,470, close to the median.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| 25th percentile | $61,630 | $29.63 |
| Median | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 75th percentile | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,410 | $50.20 |
| Average (mean) | $77,470 | $37.25 |
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 | $6,850 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,425 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,161.54 |
| Weekly | $1,580.77 |
| Hourly | $39.52 |
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 Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT | $82,200 | 40 |
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemical Technician | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $53,550 | $25.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in Montana is $82,200 a year, or $39.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Montana?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in Montana earn at least $104,410 a year. The top 25% earn $82,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,640 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $61,630 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Montana?
About 60 forensic science technicians are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.