Forensic Science Technician salary in Richmond, VA
Forensic Science Technicians in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $70,160 a year ($33.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,510 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 2% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $68,900. There are 0.22 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| 25th percentile | $64,050 | $30.80 |
| Median | $70,160 | $33.73 |
| 75th percentile | $99,650 | $47.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,510 | $52.17 |
| Average (mean) | $79,550 | $38.24 |
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 | $5,846.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,923.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,698.46 |
| Weekly | $1,349.23 |
| Hourly | $33.73 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,070 | 660 |
| Roanoke, VA | $65,620 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $62,120 | 150 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Chemical Technician | $50,790 | $24.42 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $49,060 | $23.59 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $62,610 | $30.10 |
| Nuclear Technician | $122,210 | $58.76 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $38,790 | $18.65 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,350 | $38.63 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Chemist | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $77,340 | $37.18 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $60,260 | $28.97 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Richmond, VA metro area is $70,160 a year, or $33.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $108,510 a year. The top 25% earn $99,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,400 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $64,050 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Richmond, VA?
About 140 forensic science technicians are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.