Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Nevada make a median of $81,090 a year, or about $38.99 an hour. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $135K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.79), that's roughly $81,261 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,501/month, or 27.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of Nevada. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $81K get you in Nevada?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Nevada
Nevada sits well above the national pay line for forensic science technicians, local pay runs about 13% higher than the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,501/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 99.79) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Nevada
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $135K or more, a $77K 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 Nevada numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Nevada?
Yes — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 27.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,501/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Nevada?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,487/month. At HUD’s $1,501/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Nevada?
Local pay is 13% above the national median — $81K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does Nevada compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Nevada pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s +13%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.79), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Nevada?
The median is $81,090 a year, that works out to about $39 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,120, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $135,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Nevada?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,453/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,501/month, which eats 27.5% 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 Nevada?
Nevada has a Regional Price Parity of 99.79 (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 $81,261 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.