Forensic Science Technician salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Forensic Science Technicians in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $55,380 a year ($26.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,720 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 10% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $61,580. There are 0.04 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.28). The average (mean) salary is $57,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,180 | $20.76 |
| 25th percentile | $53,530 | $25.74 |
| Median | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| 75th percentile | $61,510 | $29.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,720 | $35.92 |
| Average (mean) | $57,740 | $27.76 |
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 | $4,615 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,307.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,130 |
| Weekly | $1,065 |
| Hourly | $26.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $62,160 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $61,580 | 300 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Biological Technician | $47,810 | $22.99 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $51,480 | $24.75 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,970 | $23.55 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $87,310 | $41.98 |
| Chemist | $74,200 | $35.67 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $92,510 | $44.48 |
| School Psychologist | $92,370 | $44.41 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $85,630 | $41.17 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $55,380 a year, or $26.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $74,720 a year. The top 25% earn $61,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,180 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $53,530 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 40 forensic science technicians are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.