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Government Crime Labs
FBI, DEA, Texas Department of Public Safety
Forensic Science Technicians
Forensic science technicians collect and analyze physical evidence from crime scenes, then turn that evidence into reports and testimony that investigators and courts can use. The work is distinctive because it mixes careful field collection with lab-style analysis, and the big tradeoff is that tiny mistakes can damage a case while the job can also involve disturbing scenes and strict chain-of-custody rules.
Also known as Crime Scene TechnicianForensic TechnicianEvidence TechnicianCrime Scene InvestigatorForensic Specialist
Median Salary
$67,440
Mean $75,260
U.S. Workforce
~19K
2.9K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+12.8%
20.7K to 23.3K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Forensic Science Technicians sits in the Science category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~19K workers, with a median annual pay of $67,440 and roughly 2.9K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 20.7 K in 2024 to 23.3K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Post-Secondary Certificate, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Forensic Laboratory Assistant and can progress toward Forensic Lab Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Chain of Custody & Evidence Handling, Crime Scene Photography, Sketching & Mapping, and AFIS Fingerprint Comparison, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and Reading Comprehension.
Core Responsibilities
- Secure and collect evidence at crime scenes so it can be tested later without being contaminated.
- Photograph, measure, and sketch scenes to create an accurate record of where everything was found.
- Compare bullets, gunshot residue, fingerprints, shoe prints, tire tracks, and other marks to help reconstruct what happened.
- Work with specialists in ballistics, biology, chemistry, handwriting, and electronics when evidence needs deeper analysis.
Keep exploring: more Science careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Secure and collect evidence at crime scenes so it can be tested later without being contaminated.
02 Photograph, measure, and sketch scenes to create an accurate record of where everything was found.
03 Compare bullets, gunshot residue, fingerprints, shoe prints, tire tracks, and other marks to help reconstruct what happened.
04 Work with specialists in ballistics, biology, chemistry, handwriting, and electronics when evidence needs deeper analysis.
05 Study bloodstains and other physical traces to piece together the sequence of events.
06 Write clear reports that explain methods, findings, and how the evidence was handled from start to finish.
Industries That Hire
🚓
Police Departments and Public Safety
NYPD, LAPD, Chicago Police Department
🧪
Private Forensic Laboratories
NMS Labs, Eurofins Forensic Services, Aegis Sciences
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Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices
New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Cook County Medical Examiner, King County Medical Examiner
📄
Insurance and Claims Investigation
State Farm, Allstate, Progressive
🔎
Consulting and Expert Witness Services
Exponent, Forensic Analytical Consulting Services, ARC Group
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The work is concrete and case-based: you are handling real evidence, not just office paperwork, and that variety keeps the job from feeling repetitive.
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Pay is solid for a specialized public-safety role, with a median annual wage of $67,440 and a mean of $75,260.
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The field is still growing faster than average, with employment projected to rise 12.8% and add about 2.6 thousand jobs by 2034.
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There are about 2.9 thousand annual openings, so new people do get chances to enter when agencies replace retirees or expand labs.
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You can often enter with a certificate or other non-degree path and learn the procedures on the job, which lowers the barrier compared with many science careers.
Challenges
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The work can involve disturbing scenes, including violent injuries and death, and you have to stay calm while collecting evidence carefully.
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Remote work is rare because the job usually requires being at a scene or in a lab, so this is not a good fit if you want a flexible work-from-home schedule.
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The occupation is small, with only about 19,450 jobs currently, so openings can be limited and competition can be strong in desirable locations.
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Career growth can be narrow: there are only so many senior or supervisory spots, and many workers plateau unless they move into management, specialty analysis, or training.
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The pay is respectable but not especially high for a science-heavy job, so the workload and emotional strain may feel out of proportion to the salary.
Career Progression
Forensic Laboratory Assistant
0-2 years
$36K-$48K
Helps with evidence logging, sample prep, and basic scene or lab support while learning chain-of-custody rules.
Crime Scene Evidence Technician
1-4 years
$49K-$62K
Collects and documents evidence in the field, often with close supervision and a heavy focus on accuracy.
Forensic Science Technician THIS ROLE
3-8 years
$63K-$82K
Handles independent casework, analyzes physical evidence, and writes reports that may be used by detectives and attorneys.
Senior Forensic Science Technician
7-12 years
$83K-$101K
Takes on harder cases, helps train junior staff, and may specialize in areas like fingerprints, firearms, or bloodstain analysis.
Forensic Lab Supervisor
10+ years
$102K-$126K
Oversees case quality, reviews reports, coordinates with law enforcement, and manages lab priorities and staff.
Education Paths
Post-Secondary Certificate
The most common path in the O*NET data, held by 36.29% of workers in this role.
High School Diploma or GED plus training
Also a common route, used by 29.31% of workers, especially when agencies hire first and train new staff on the job.
Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science, Biology, or Chemistry
A less common route, used by 15.3% of workers, but it matches the BLS typical entry requirement for the occupation.
Forensic or laboratory certificate plus moderate on-the-job training
A practical alternative for people who want lab or crime-scene experience first and are willing to learn procedures on the job.
Key Skills
Technical
Chain of Custody & Evidence Handling 92%
Crime Scene Photography, Sketching & Mapping 90%
AFIS Fingerprint Comparison 88%
Ballistics & Firearms Examination 86%
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis 84%
Forensic Case Management Software & LIMS 78%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWritingSpeakingJudgment and Decision Making Job Outlook and Trends
+12.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
2.9K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 20.7K to 23.3 K over the next decade, representing 12.8% growth. Around 2.9 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.