Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Pennsylvania make a median of $61,580 a year, or about $29.6 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $95K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $64,842 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,351/month, about 32.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $62K get you in Pennsylvania?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Pay for forensic science technicians in Pennsylvania runs about 15% below the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,351/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.7% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Pennsylvania
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $95K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Pennsylvania
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $62K | +1% | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $62K | +0% | 300 |
| Pittsburgh | $55K | -10% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $62K, rent takes 32.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/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 Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,864/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 47% 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 Pennsylvania?
Local pay runs 15% below the national median — $62K here vs. $72K nationally. Cost of living is 5% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Pennsylvania pays $62K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — below the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $61,580 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,740, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $94,520. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,136/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 32.7% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $64,842 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.