Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Forensic Science Technicians in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA make a median of $79,910 a year, or about $38.42 an hour. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $131K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.44), so that salary is closer to $75,075 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,201/month — about 42.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $80K get you in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario’s Regional Price Parity (106.44). 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, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K. Top earners bring in $131K or more, a $69K 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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do forensic science technicians make in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA?
The median is $79,910 a year, that works out to about $38 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,320, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $131,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,086/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,201/month, which eats 43.3% 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 Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario?
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario has a Regional Price Parity of 106.44 (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 $75,075 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.