Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Minnesota make a median of $76,960 a year, or about $37 an hour. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $83,110 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,384/month, or 27.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Minnesota?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Forensic science technicians pay in Minnesota tracks closely to the national median, $77K locally vs. $72K nationwide, a 7% difference. Rent runs $1,384/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $107K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Minnesota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $77K | +0% | 120 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
Yes — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 28.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Minnesota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,520/month. At HUD’s $1,384/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 Minnesota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $77K locally vs. $72K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Minnesota pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $83K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Minnesota?
The median is $76,960 a year, that works out to about $37 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,660, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $107,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,893/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/month, which eats 28.3% 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 Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 $83,110 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.