Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Montana make a median of $82,200 a year, or about $39.52 an hour. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $84,742 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 21.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $82K get you in Montana?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Montana
Montana sits well above the national pay line for forensic science technicians, local pay runs about 14% higher than the U.S. median of $72K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,129/month, 21.7% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Montana offers a genuinely strong financial position for forensic science technicianss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $82K. Top earners bring in $104K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Montana
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $82K | +0% | 40 |
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $82K, rent takes 21.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $56K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,338/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 Montana?
Local pay is 14% above the national median — $82K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Montana pays $82K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Montana?
The median is $82,200 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $55,640, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $104,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $82K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,206/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 21.7% 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 Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (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 $84,742 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.