1 | Career Snapshot (2025 U.S. Data)
Why demand is rising: Courts rely on digital forensics, DNA sequencing, and ballistics analysis. Expanding use of forensic technology in cybercrime, financial crime, and cold-case investigations is driving job growth.
2 | What Forensic Science Techs Do
- Crime Scene Investigation: Collecting and preserving evidence, documenting scenes.
- Laboratory Analysis: DNA profiling, toxicology, ballistics, fingerprint matching.
- Digital Forensics: Analyzing phones, laptops, and cloud data in criminal cases.
- Court Testimony: Serving as expert witnesses to explain scientific findings.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Working alongside police, attorneys, and medical examiners.
3 | Where They Work & Employers
- Law Enforcement Agencies: FBI, DEA, Secret Service, state police labs.
- Crime Laboratories: Local/state forensic labs, university labs.
- Government Agencies: Department of Justice, Homeland Security.
- Private Sector: Cybersecurity firms (CrowdStrike, Mandiant), forensic consulting firms.
4 | Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s in Forensic Science, Biology, Chemistry, or Criminal Justice (4 yrs).
- Specialized Training Programs in crime scene processing or DNA analysis.
- Certifications:
- American Board of Criminalistics (ABC)
- Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE)
- International Association for Identification (IAI)
5 | Skills Blueprint
- Technical: DNA analysis, chromatography, digital forensics software (EnCase, FTK), fingerprint analysis.
- Analytical: Hypothesis testing, error-rate evaluation.
- Communication: Writing reports, courtroom testimony.
- Soft Skills: Objectivity, stress tolerance, ethical decision-making.
6 | Trends 2025–2030
- AI in Forensics: Automating fingerprint and facial recognition.
- Portable DNA Devices: Rapid crime-scene testing.
- Cybercrime Surge: Growing need for digital forensics specialists.
- Cold Case Revolutions: Advanced sequencing reopens unsolved cases.
7 | Salary Ladder
8 | MAPP Fit
Forensic techs need investigative drive, detail orientation, and patience under stress. The Free MAPP Career Assessment helps determine if your motivations align with evidence-based, methodical work.
2025 BLS Salary and Job Outlook
The figures below are U.S. national estimates. Wages refer to May 2025; job growth and annual openings refer separately to the 2025–2035 BLS employment projections.
Forensic Science Technicians
Related O*NET occupation: Forensic Science Technicians (19-4092.00). BLS reporting code: 19-4092.
- Median wage (May 2025): $72,060 per year.
- Mean wage (May 2025): $79,200 per year.
- 10th percentile wage (May 2025): $48,250 per year.
- 25th percentile wage (May 2025): $57,830 per year.
- 75th percentile wage (May 2025): $94,520 per year.
- 90th percentile wage (May 2025): $117,250 per year.
- OEWS employment estimate (May 2025): 19,120. This estimate excludes self-employed workers.
- Employment in the projections base year (2025): 20,100.
- Projected employment (2035): 22,800.
- Projected employment change (2025–2035): 13.3%.
- Projected annual openings (2025–2035 average): 2,800. Openings include employment growth and workers leaving the occupation; they are not all newly created jobs.
Wage percentiles describe the distribution of wages, not guaranteed entry-level or experienced-worker salaries. National figures can differ from pay in a particular state, industry, or employer. OEWS wages do not include self-employed earnings. The projections employment estimates use a different coverage basis and may include self-employed workers.
Sources: BLS May 2025 national OEWS wage estimates; BLS 2025–2035 occupational projections, Table 1.2; BLS OEWS coverage and definitions.
