Forensic Science Technician salary in Roanoke, VA
Forensic Science Technicians in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $65,620 a year ($31.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,830 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 5% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $68,900. There are 0.41 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| 25th percentile | $50,570 | $24.31 |
| Median | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| 75th percentile | $90,590 | $43.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,830 | $48.96 |
| Average (mean) | $72,580 | $34.89 |
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 | $5,468.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,734.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,523.85 |
| Weekly | $1,261.92 |
| Hourly | $31.55 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $70,160 | 140 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,330 | $36.22 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $128,590 | $61.82 |
| School Psychologist | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| Chemist | $86,720 | $41.69 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $65,620 a year, or $31.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $101,830 a year. The top 25% earn $90,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,980 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $50,570 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Roanoke, VA?
About 60 forensic science technicians are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.