Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Illinois make a median of $124,790 a year, or about $60 an hour. The range runs from $66K at the entry level to $149K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $132,968 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 18.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $125K get you in Illinois?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Illinois
Illinois sits well above the national pay line for forensic science technicians, local pay runs about 73% higher than the U.S. median of $72K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,407/month, 18.8% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Illinois offers a genuinely strong financial position for forensic science technicianss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Illinois
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $66K. Mid-career wages sit at $125K. Top earners bring in $149K or more, a $83K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Illinois
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $113K | -10% | 260 |
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $125K, rent takes 18.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $66K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,947/month. At HUD’s $1,407/month FMR, rent would take 36% 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 Illinois?
Local pay is 73% above the national median — $125K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Illinois pays $125K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +73%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $133K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Illinois?
The median is $124,790 a year, that works out to about $60 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $65,780, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $148,790. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $125K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,489/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 18.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a forensic science technicians salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forensic science technicians salary is worth about $132,968 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.