Forensic Scientist Salary Overview
The Forensic Scientist is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $64,940. Compensation typically ranges from $38,200 for entry-level positions to $102,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Forensic Scientist in the US earns between $38,200 and $102,600 per year, with a median of $64,940.
Forensic Scientist Salary by Experience
Entry-level forensic scientists earn around $42,211, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $87,669 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $39,613 | $19/hr | $33,102 |
| Mid | $64,940 | $31/hr | $51,778 |
| Senior | $87,669 | $42/hr | $65,770 |
| Lead | $95,462 | $46/hr | $70,528 |
Forensic Scientist Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Forensic Scientist in each US state.
Pay for forensic scientists varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,082 | $4,968 | $50,989 | 21.5% |
| Alaska | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| Arizona | $64,940 | $5,901 | $1,258 | $4,968 | $52,813 | 18.7% |
| Arkansas | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,631 | $4,968 | $51,440 | 20.8% |
| California | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,293 | $4,968 | $51,778 | 20.3% |
| Colorado | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,197 | $4,968 | $51,874 | 20.1% |
| Connecticut | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,822 | $4,968 | $51,250 | 21.1% |
| Delaware | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,055 | $4,968 | $51,016 | 21.4% |
| District of Columbia | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,872 | $4,968 | $51,199 | 21.2% |
| Florida | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| Georgia | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,906 | $4,968 | $51,165 | 21.2% |
| Hawaii | $64,940 | $5,901 | $4,430 | $4,968 | $49,642 | 23.6% |
| Idaho | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,920 | $4,968 | $51,152 | 21.2% |
| Illinois | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,077 | $4,968 | $50,994 | 21.5% |
| Indiana | $64,940 | $5,901 | $1,981 | $4,968 | $52,091 | 19.8% |
| Iowa | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,468 | $4,968 | $51,604 | 20.5% |
| Kansas | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,045 | $4,968 | $51,027 | 21.4% |
| Kentucky | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,471 | $4,968 | $51,600 | 20.5% |
| Louisiana | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,179 | $4,968 | $51,893 | 20.1% |
| Maine | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,150 | $4,968 | $50,921 | 21.6% |
| Maryland | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,911 | $4,968 | $51,160 | 21.2% |
| Massachusetts | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,027 | $4,968 | $51,044 | 21.4% |
| Michigan | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,522 | $4,968 | $51,549 | 20.6% |
| Minnesota | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,965 | $4,968 | $51,106 | 21.3% |
| Mississippi | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,474 | $4,968 | $51,597 | 20.5% |
| Missouri | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,246 | $4,968 | $51,825 | 20.2% |
| Montana | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,724 | $4,968 | $51,347 | 20.9% |
| Nebraska | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,272 | $4,968 | $51,799 | 20.2% |
| Nevada | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| New Hampshire | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| New Jersey | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,095 | $4,968 | $51,976 | 20.0% |
| New Mexico | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,187 | $4,968 | $51,884 | 20.1% |
| New York | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,117 | $4,968 | $50,954 | 21.5% |
| North Carolina | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,349 | $4,968 | $51,723 | 20.4% |
| North Dakota | $64,940 | $5,901 | $982 | $4,968 | $53,090 | 18.2% |
| Ohio | $64,940 | $5,901 | $1,068 | $4,968 | $53,004 | 18.4% |
| Oklahoma | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,595 | $4,968 | $51,477 | 20.7% |
| Oregon | $64,940 | $5,901 | $5,157 | $4,968 | $48,914 | 24.7% |
| Pennsylvania | $64,940 | $5,901 | $1,994 | $4,968 | $52,078 | 19.8% |
| Rhode Island | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,040 | $4,968 | $52,032 | 19.9% |
| South Carolina | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,529 | $4,968 | $51,543 | 20.6% |
| South Dakota | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| Tennessee | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| Texas | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| Utah | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,020 | $4,968 | $51,052 | 21.4% |
| Vermont | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,345 | $4,968 | $51,726 | 20.3% |
| Virginia | $64,940 | $5,901 | $3,218 | $4,968 | $50,853 | 21.7% |
| Washington | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
| West Virginia | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,436 | $4,968 | $51,635 | 20.5% |
| Wisconsin | $64,940 | $5,901 | $2,354 | $4,968 | $51,717 | 20.4% |
| Wyoming | $64,940 | $5,901 | $0 | $4,968 | $54,071 | 16.7% |
Top Cities for Forensic Scientist Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for forensic scientists tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $71,434 |
| New York, NY | $71,434 |
| Washington, DC | $71,434 |
| Chicago, IL | $71,434 |
| Boston, MA | $71,434 |
Calculate Forensic Scientist Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
--
--
--
Gross Annual
--
Total Tax
--
Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
--
State Tax
--
Social Security
--
Medicare
--
Tax Distribution
Calculating...
Pay Frequency Breakdown
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculating... | |||
How to Become a Forensic Scientist
Becoming a forensic scientist typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Forensic Scientist Career Outlook
Employment of forensic scientists is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Forensic Scientist Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for forensic scientists in the US is $64,940, with a typical range from $38,200 to $102,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for forensic scientists include CA, NY, DC. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level forensic scientists can expect to earn around $42,211 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a forensic scientist can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for forensic scientists is approximately $31.22, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.