Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO make a median of $87,170 a year, or about $41.91 an hour. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $123K for experienced workers.
So what does $87K get you in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
About forensic science technicians
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for forensic science technicians in metros near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $84K | , |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $65K | $63K |
| Tucson | $61K | $63K |
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $72K | $71K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K. Top earners bring in $123K or more, a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Forensic Science Technicians salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $125K | +73% | 370 |
| California | $102K | +42% | 2,800 |
| Connecticut | $86K | +19% | 120 |
| Colorado | $84K | +17% | 510 |
| Montana | $82K | +14% | 60 |
| Maryland | $82K | +14% | 460 |
| New York | $82K | +13% | 1,140 |
| Washington | $81K | +13% | 390 |
| Nevada | $81K | +13% | 360 |
| Oregon | $81K | +12% | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +10% | 290 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +7% | 140 |
| Vermont | $74K | +3% | 30 |
| Wisconsin | $72K | +0% | 310 |
| Idaho | $71K | -1% | 160 |
| North Dakota | $71K | -1% | 40 |
| Maine | $71K | -2% | 40 |
| Tennessee | $71K | -2% | 300 |
| Virginia | $69K | -4% | 770 |
| Iowa | $67K | -7% | 130 |
| Utah | $67K | -7% | 220 |
| Indiana | $67K | -8% | 320 |
| Oklahoma | $66K | -8% | 110 |
| Nebraska | $66K | -9% | 150 |
| New Mexico | $66K | -9% | 200 |
| Florida | $64K | -11% | 1,920 |
| Georgia | $64K | -12% | 550 |
| West Virginia | $63K | -12% | 110 |
| Arizona | $63K | -12% | 900 |
| New Jersey | $63K | -12% | 60 |
| Missouri | $63K | -13% | 350 |
| Pennsylvania | $62K | -15% | 360 |
| Kentucky | $61K | -15% | 60 |
| Texas | $60K | -17% | 1,900 |
| Alabama | $60K | -17% | 160 |
| North Carolina | $59K | -18% | 520 |
| Mississippi | $53K | -27% | 140 |
| Wyoming | $52K | -28% | 90 |
| South Carolina | $52K | -28% | 160 |
| South Dakota | $52K | -28% | 30 |
| Arkansas | $45K | -38% | 100 |
Showing 1–10 of 41 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Denver-Aurora-Centennial numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $87K, rent takes 37.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $64K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,868/month.
Is forensic science technician a high-paying job in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $87K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Denver-Aurora-Centennial compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial pays $87K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +21%.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median is $87,170 a year, that works out to about $42 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,470, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $123,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,490/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 37.2% 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forensic science technicians salary is worth about $87,170 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.