Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in Utah make a median of $66,780 a year, or about $32.11 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $94K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.54), that's roughly $67,769 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,350/month, about 30.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Utah. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $67K get you in Utah?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in Utah
Forensic science technicians pay in Utah tracks closely to the national median, $67K locally vs. $72K nationwide, a 7% difference. Rent runs $1,350/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.54) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Utah
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $67K. Top earners bring in $94K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in Utah
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City-Murray | $72K | +7% | 140 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi | $57K | -14% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track forensic science technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Utah numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Utah?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $67K, rent takes 31% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,350/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 Utah?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,905/month. At HUD’s $1,350/month FMR, rent would take 46% 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 Utah?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $67K locally vs. $72K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Utah compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
Utah pays $67K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.54), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — below the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in Utah?
The median is $66,780 a year, that works out to about $32 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,410, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $94,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $67K enough to live in Utah?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,355/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,350/month, which eats 31% 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 Utah?
Utah has a Regional Price Parity of 98.54 (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 $67,769 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.