Forensic Science Technician salary in North Carolina
Forensic Science Technicians in North Carolina earn a median of $59,240 a year ($28.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,760 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $72,060. North Carolina ranks 36th of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay. There are 0.11 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| 25th percentile | $49,690 | $23.89 |
| Median | $59,240 | $28.48 |
| 75th percentile | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,760 | $39.31 |
| Average (mean) | $60,930 | $29.30 |
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 | $4,936.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,468.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,278.46 |
| Weekly | $1,139.23 |
| Hourly | $28.48 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $62,790 | 70 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,120 | 150 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $61,130 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,240 | 170 |
| Asheville, NC | $51,050 | 40 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,670 | 40 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $45,950 | 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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistant | $63,710 | $30.63 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Biological Technician | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $48,360 | $23.25 |
| Agricultural Technician | $51,470 | $24.74 |
| Nuclear Technician | $110,430 | $53.09 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,640 | $23.39 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $59,590 | $28.65 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,650 | $41.66 |
| Chemist | $82,620 | $39.72 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in North Carolina is $59,240 a year, or $28.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in North Carolina earn at least $81,760 a year. The top 25% earn $66,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,950 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $49,690 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in North Carolina?
About 520 forensic science technicians are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.