Forensic Science Technician salary in Pennsylvania
Forensic Science Technicians in Pennsylvania earn a median of $61,580 a year ($29.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,520 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pennsylvania ranks 32nd of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay. There are 0.06 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $67,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,740 | $22.95 |
| 25th percentile | $54,430 | $26.17 |
| Median | $61,580 | $29.60 |
| 75th percentile | $84,530 | $40.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Average (mean) | $67,610 | $32.50 |
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 | $5,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,368.46 |
| Weekly | $1,184.23 |
| Hourly | $29.60 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $62,160 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,580 | 300 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $55,380 | 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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Chemical Technician | $59,420 | $28.57 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $54,610 | $26.26 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Nuclear Technician | $124,070 | $59.65 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,800 | $23.46 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $99,190 | $47.69 |
| Chemist | $77,090 | $37.06 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,050 | $41.85 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in Pennsylvania is $61,580 a year, or $29.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in Pennsylvania earn at least $94,520 a year. The top 25% earn $84,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,740 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $54,430 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Pennsylvania?
About 360 forensic science technicians are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.