Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Modesto, CA
Forensic Science Technicians in Modesto, CA make a median of $81,860 a year, or about $39.36 an hour. The range runs from $63K at the entry level to $125K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.11), that's roughly $78,628 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,758/month — about 34.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $82K get you in Modesto?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Modesto’s Regional Price Parity (104.11). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About forensic science technicians
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Modesto, CA
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $125K or more, a $62K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $118K | +74% | 380 |
| California | $97K | +44% | 3,100 |
| Connecticut | $85K | +26% | 120 |
| Montana | $79K | +17% | 60 |
| Maryland | $78K | +16% | 410 |
| New York | $78K | +16% | 1,120 |
| Oregon | $78K | +16% | 110 |
| Washington | $78K | +15% | 340 |
| Nevada | $77K | +13% | 330 |
| Massachusetts | $75K | +12% | 270 |
| Kansas | $75K | +11% | 200 |
| North Dakota | $74K | +10% | 30 |
| Ohio | $73K | +9% | 470 |
| Tennessee | $71K | +5% | 320 |
| Michigan | $69K | +2% | 690 |
| Minnesota | $69K | +2% | 110 |
| Maine | $69K | +2% | 30 |
| Vermont | $68K | +0% | 30 |
| Indiana | $66K | -2% | 300 |
| Oklahoma | $65K | -4% | 110 |
| Missouri | $65K | -4% | 280 |
| Utah | $64K | -4% | 210 |
| Iowa | $64K | -6% | 130 |
| Nebraska | $63K | -6% | 120 |
| Virginia | $63K | -7% | 740 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | -8% | 280 |
| New Mexico | $62K | -8% | 200 |
| Florida | $61K | -9% | 2,440 |
| Wyoming | $61K | -10% | 50 |
| Arizona | $61K | -10% | 880 |
| Idaho | $60K | -10% | 170 |
| West Virginia | $60K | -11% | 90 |
| Alabama | $60K | -12% | 160 |
| Georgia | $59K | -13% | 540 |
| Kentucky | $58K | -14% | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $58K | -14% | 440 |
| Texas | $56K | -17% | 1,990 |
| Mississippi | $55K | -19% | 120 |
| New Jersey | $54K | -20% | 50 |
| North Carolina | $50K | -25% | 520 |
| South Carolina | $50K | -26% | 130 |
| South Dakota | $49K | -27% | 30 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -31% | 170 |
Showing 1–10 of 43 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 Modesto numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do forensic science technicians make in Modesto, CA?
The median is $81,860 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,090, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $124,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Modesto?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,185/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,758/month, which eats 33.9% 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 Modesto?
Modesto has a Regional Price Parity of 104.11 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forensic science technicians salary is worth about $78,628 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.