Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Tennessee make a median of $70,500 a year, or about $33.9 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $120K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $78,525 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 24.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $71K get you in Tennessee?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Tennessee
Forensic science technicians pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $71K locally vs. $72K nationwide, a 2% difference. Rent runs $1,215/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $71K. Top earners bring in $120K or more, a $72K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Tennessee
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $78K | +11% | 150 |
| Jackson | $74K | +5% | 40 |
| Knoxville | $71K | +0% | 70 |
| Memphis | $60K | -15% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $71K, rent takes 25.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in Tennessee?
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 $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 42% 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 Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $71K locally vs. $72K nationally, a 2% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Tennessee pays $71K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -2%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Tennessee?
The median is $70,500 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,730, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $120,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $71K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,832/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 25.1% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (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 $78,525 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.