Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Texas make a median of $59,870 a year, or about $28.79 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.49), which stretches that salary to about $65,439 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,415/month, about 34% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Texas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Texas?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Texas
Pay for forensic science technicians in Texas runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,415/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.49 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% 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, Texas
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $40K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Texas
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $70K | +17% | 360 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $66K | +11% | 300 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $60K | +0% | 160 |
| El Paso | $59K | -2% | 50 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $57K | -4% | 590 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $55K | -8% | 40 |
| Lubbock | $55K | -8% | 40 |
| Corpus Christi | $52K | -14% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Texas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Texas?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 33.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,415/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 Texas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,546/month. At HUD’s $1,415/month FMR, rent would take 56% 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 Texas?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $60K here vs. $72K nationally. Cost of living is 9% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Texas compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Texas pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.49), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — below the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Texas?
The median is $59,870 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,430, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $82,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Texas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,179/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month, which eats 33.9% 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 Texas?
Texas has a Regional Price Parity of 91.49 (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 $65,439 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.