Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Maine make a median of $70,870 a year, or about $34.07 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.7), that's roughly $72,538 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,281/month, or 27.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Maine. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $71K get you in Maine?
About forensic science technicians
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Maine
Forensic science technicians pay in Maine tracks closely to the national median, $71K locally vs. $72K nationwide, a 2% difference. Rent runs $1,281/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97.7) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maine
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K. Top earners bring in $84K or more, a $40K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maine numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maine?
Yes — at the median salary of $71K, rent takes 28.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,281/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Maine?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $44K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,656/month. At HUD’s $1,281/month FMR, rent would take 48% 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 Maine?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $71K locally vs. $72K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Maine compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Maine pays $71K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97.7), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Maine?
The median is $70,870 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,260, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $84,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in Maine?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,557/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,281/month, which eats 28.1% 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 Maine?
Maine has a Regional Price Parity of 97.7 (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 $72,538 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.