Forensic Science Technicians Salary
Forensic Science Technicians in West Virginia make a median of $63,330 a year, or about $30.45 an hour. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $84K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.03), which stretches that salary to about $71,133 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,008/month, or 24.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across West Virginia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $63K get you in West Virginia?
About forensic science technicians
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What this looks like in West Virginia
Pay for forensic science technicians in West Virginia runs about 12% below the U.S. median of $72K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,008/month, 23.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.03 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, West Virginia can be a reasonable trade-off for forensic science technicianss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, West Virginia
Entry-level forensic science technicians (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K. Top earners bring in $84K or more, a $42K spread from bottom to top.
Forensic Science Technicians salary by metro in West Virginia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $64K | +1% | 80 |
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forensic science technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in West Virginia?
Yes — at the median salary of $63K, rent takes 23.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,008/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forensic science technicians in West Virginia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forensic science technicians typically earn — is $42K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,519/month. At HUD’s $1,008/month FMR, rent would take 40% 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 West Virginia?
Local pay runs 12% below the national median — $63K here vs. $72K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does West Virginia compare to the national average for forensic science technicians?
West Virginia pays $63K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.03), the purchasing-power equivalent is $71K — below the national median.
How much do forensic science technicians make in West Virginia?
The median is $63,330 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,990, and experienced forensic science technicians can clear $83,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in West Virginia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,214/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,008/month, which eats 23.9% 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.03 (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 $71,133 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.