Forensic Science Technician salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A forensic science technician earns a median of $72,060 a year ($34.65 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $79,200. About 19,120 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $72,060
- Gross pay
- $2,771.54
- Federal income tax
- −$270.12
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$171.84
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$40.19
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $2,289.39
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $72,060
- Federal
- $7,023
- FICA
- $5,513
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $59,524
- Marginal federal rate
- 22.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Similar jobs
- Conservation Scientist: $73,010
- Anthropologist and Archeologist: $70,770
- Survey Researcher: $69,460
- Animal Scientist: $68,940
- Forester: $76,400
- Historian: $76,750
- Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist: $76,780
- Soil and Plant Scientist: $78,850
BLS occupation: Forensic Science Technicians. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 19-4092). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forensic science technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $34.65; the average is $38.08.
What is the salary range for a forensic science technician?
The bottom 10% earn under $48,250 and the top 10% earn over $117,250 a year.
How much is $72,060 after taxes?
About $59,524 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $56,048 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.