Forensic Science Technician salary in Virginia
Forensic Science Technicians in Virginia earn a median of $68,900 a year ($33.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,740 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $72,060. Virginia ranks 19th of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay. There are 0.19 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $80,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,390 | $23.74 |
| 25th percentile | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Median | $68,900 | $33.12 |
| 75th percentile | $99,330 | $47.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,740 | $60.45 |
| Average (mean) | $80,370 | $38.64 |
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 | $5,741.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,870.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,650 |
| Weekly | $1,325 |
| Hourly | $33.12 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,070 | 660 |
| Richmond, VA | $70,160 | 140 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Biological Technician | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Chemical Technician | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Nuclear Technician | $98,930 | $47.56 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,210 | $19.81 |
| Food Science Technician | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $59,290 | $28.50 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $93,620 | $45.01 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $90,800 | $43.66 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $140,670 | $67.63 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in Virginia is $68,900 a year, or $33.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Virginia?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in Virginia earn at least $125,740 a year. The top 25% earn $99,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,390 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $52,970 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Virginia?
About 770 forensic science technicians are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.