Forensic Science Technician salary in West Virginia
Forensic Science Technicians in West Virginia earn a median of $63,330 a year ($30.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,950 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $72,060. West Virginia ranks 28th of 41 states for forensic science technicians pay. There are 0.15 forensic science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,840, close to the median.
Pay range for forensic science technicians in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| 25th percentile | $52,740 | $25.36 |
| Median | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| 75th percentile | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,950 | $40.36 |
| Average (mean) | $62,840 | $30.21 |
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 | $5,277.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,638.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,435.77 |
| Weekly | $1,217.88 |
| Hourly | $30.45 |
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 West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,070 | 660 |
| Charleston, WV | $63,920 | 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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $51,140 | $24.59 |
| Chemical Technician | $58,750 | $28.24 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Biological Technician | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,600 | $26.25 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $69,350 | $33.34 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,560 | $41.62 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $77,040 | $37.04 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $82,100 | $39.47 |
| School Psychologist | $75,220 | $36.16 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for forensic science technicians in West Virginia is $63,330 a year, or $30.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forensic science technicians make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of forensic science technicians in West Virginia earn at least $83,950 a year. The top 25% earn $72,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for forensic science technicians in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,990 a year, and a quarter of forensic science technicians earn $52,740 or less.
How many forensic science technicians work in West Virginia?
About 110 forensic science technicians are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.