Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Forensic Science Technicians in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA make a median of $96,770 a year, or about $46.53 an hour. The range runs from $72K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 106.67), so that salary is closer to $90,719 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,255/month — about 37.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $97K get you in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom?
About forensic science technicians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $72K. Mid-career wages sit at $97K.Top earners bring in $134K or more - a $62K 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 |
Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom numbers change.
Related careers in Science
Frequently asked questions
How much do forensic science technicians make in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
The median is $96,770 a year - that works out to about $46.53 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $71,500, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $133,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $97K enough to live in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,944/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,255/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 37.9% 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 Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom?
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom has a Regional Price Parity of 106.67 (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 $90,719 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.