Forensic Science Technician salary in Rochester, NY
Forensic Science Technicians in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $66,340 a year ($31.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,770 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $72,060. Pay here is 19% lower than the New York statewide median of $81,670. There are 0.07 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $73,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,310 | $26.11 |
| 25th percentile | $65,280 | $31.39 |
| Median | $66,340 | $31.89 |
| 75th percentile | $77,470 | $37.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,770 | $47.01 |
| Average (mean) | $73,290 | $35.24 |
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 | $5,528.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,764.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,551.54 |
| Weekly | $1,275.77 |
| Hourly | $31.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $87,020 | 170 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $82,040 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $81,670 | 800 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Chemical Technician | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Biological Technician | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $55,320 | $26.60 |
| Food Science Technician | $54,970 | $26.43 |
| School Psychologist | $73,050 | $35.12 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $84,570 | $40.66 |
| Chemist | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $95,780 | $46.05 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $89,230 | $42.90 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $92,550 | $44.50 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $107,010 | $51.45 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $58,850 | $28.29 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in the Rochester, NY metro area is $66,340 a year, or $31.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $97,770 a year. The top 25% earn $77,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,310 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $65,280 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Rochester, NY?
About 40 forensic science technicians are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.