Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Kentucky make a median of $61,470 a year, or about $29.56 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.23), which stretches that salary to about $68,126 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,110/month, or 27.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Kentucky. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $61K get you in Kentucky?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Kentucky
Pay for forensic science technicians in Kentucky runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,110/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 90.23 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Kentucky
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $26K spread from bottom to top.
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Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Kentucky numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Kentucky?
Yes — at the median salary of $61K, rent takes 27.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,110/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Kentucky?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,908/month. At HUD’s $1,110/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Kentucky?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $61K here vs. $72K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Kentucky compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Kentucky pays $61K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 90.23), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — below the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Kentucky?
The median is $61,470 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,470, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $74,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Kentucky?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,081/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,110/month, which eats 27.2% 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky has a Regional Price Parity of 90.23 (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 $68,126 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.