Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in New Jersey make a median of $63,220 a year, or about $30.39 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 99.34), that's roughly $63,640 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,067/month, about 50.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of New Jersey. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $63K get you in New Jersey?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in New Jersey
Pay for forensic science technicians in New Jersey runs about 12% below the U.S. median of $72K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,067/month, which is 48.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 99.34) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for forensic science technicianss.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New Jersey
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $84K or more, a $38K 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 New Jersey numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in New Jersey?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $63K, rent takes 48.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,067/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in New Jersey?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,733/month. At HUD’s $2,067/month FMR, rent would take 76% 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 New Jersey?
Local pay runs 12% below the national median — $63K here vs. $72K nationally.
How does New Jersey compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
New Jersey pays $63K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 99.34), the purchasing-power equivalent is $64K — below the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in New Jersey?
The median is $63,220 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,550, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $84,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in New Jersey?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,236/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,067/month, which eats 48.8% 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey has a Regional Price Parity of 99.34 (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 $63,640 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.