Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Colorado make a median of $84,010 a year, or about $40.39 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $114K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.71), that's roughly $81,005 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,832/month, about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $84K actually covers in Colorado, month by month
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Colorado
Colorado sits well above the national pay line for forensic science technicians, local pay runs about 17% higher than the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,832/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 103.71) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $84K. Top earners bring in $114K or more, a $51K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Colorado
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $87K | +4% | 340 |
| Colorado Springs | $84K | +0% | 30 |
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BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $84K, rent takes 34.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,832/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $63K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,162/month. At HUD’s $1,832/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is forensic science technician a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 17% above the national median — $84K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Colorado pays $84K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 103.71), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Colorado?
The median is $84,010 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,080, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $114,100. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $84K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,316/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,832/month, which eats 34.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a forensic science technicians salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 103.71 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forensic science technicians salary is worth about $81,005 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do forensic science technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.