Forensic Science Technician salary in Washington
Forensic Science Technicians in Washington earn a median of $81,310 a year ($39.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 390 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,300 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $72,060. Washington ranks 8th of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay. There are 0.11 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,290 | $29.47 |
| 25th percentile | $70,720 | $34.00 |
| Median | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| 75th percentile | $97,350 | $46.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,300 | $52.07 |
| Average (mean) | $85,260 | $40.99 |
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 | $6,775.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,387.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,127.31 |
| Weekly | $1,563.65 |
| Hourly | $39.09 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,460 | 230 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $87,460 | 80 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $60,800 | $29.23 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $73,530 | $35.35 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $67,160 | $32.29 |
| Chemical Technician | $62,100 | $29.86 |
| Food Science Technician | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Agricultural Technician | $48,220 | $23.19 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $50,420 | $24.24 |
| Nuclear Technician | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $85,240 | $40.98 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $63,910 | $30.73 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $105,680 | $50.81 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,920 | $49.48 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in Washington is $81,310 a year, or $39.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in Washington?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in Washington earn at least $108,300 a year. The top 25% earn $97,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,290 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $70,720 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in Washington?
About 390 forensic science technicians are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.