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Forensic Science Technicians in California

Thinking about a career as a Forensic Science Technicians in California? Here’s what you need to know. Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$96,850 Median Annual Wage (California)

$85,117 National Median Annual Wage

3,100 California Employment

Medium Preparation Needed Typical Preparation

What do Forensic Science Technicians Make in California?

The forensic science technicians working in California, the median annual wage is $96,850 per year (or roughly $46.56/hour).Pay can range from $61,380 at the 10th percentile to $137,020 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$61,380	$29.51
25th percentile	$76,270	$36.67
Median (50th)	$96,850	$46.56
75th percentile	$127,410	$61.26
90th percentile	$137,020	$65.88

Salary ranges for Forensic Science Technicians in California

The job concentration index in California relative to the national average — is 1.36, meaning that forensic science technicians are more concentrated here than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, forensic science technicians earn a median of $85,117 per year ($40.92/hour), exceeding the California median.

Forensic Science Technicians earnings in California vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 30,311 forensic science technicians nationwide. In California alone, around 3,100 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 210 forensic science technicians.

Forensic Science Technicians in California vs. the average state

Forecasted number of jobs for Forensic Science Technicians

Top California Metros for Forensic Science Technicians

The largest metro-area employers of forensic science technicians in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	1,210	$98,110
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	410	$103,930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	290	$79,910
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	230	$100,800
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	150	$96,770
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	150	$131,390
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	90	$97,040
Fresno, CA	80	$79,700
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	70	$75,480
Stockton-Lodi, CA	60	$78,410
Modesto, CA	40	$81,860
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	40	$91,340

Top States for Forensic Science Technicians Employment

View the states that employ the most forensic science technicians work.

State	Number Employed
California	3,100
Florida	2,440
Texas	1,990
New York	1,120
Arizona	880
Virginia	740
Michigan	690
Georgia	540
North Carolina	520
Ohio	470
Pennsylvania	440
Colorado	430
Maryland	410
Illinois	380
Washington	340
Nevada	330
Tennessee	320
Indiana	300
Wisconsin	280
Missouri	280

Highest-Paying States for Forensic Science Technicians

Where forensic science technicians earn the most: forensic science technicians.

State	Annual Median Salary
Illinois	$117,590
California	$96,850
Connecticut	$84,920
Montana	$78,610
Maryland	$78,220
New York	$78,170
Oregon	$78,100
Colorado	$77,800
Washington	$77,650
Nevada	$76,540

Skills

Key forensic science technicians skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Critical Thinking 4.0 / 5

Speaking 4.0 / 5

Reading Comprehension 4.0 / 5

Active Listening 4.0 / 5

Writing 4.0 / 5

Complex Problem Solving 3.6 / 5

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Law and Government 4.5 / 5

Public Safety and Security 4.2 / 5

Education and Training 3.7 / 5

English Language 3.6 / 5

Computers and Electronics 3.4 / 5

Customer and Personal Service 3.3 / 5

Abilities

Top abilities for forensic science technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Comprehension 4.0 / 5

Written Comprehension 4.0 / 5

Near Vision 4.0 / 5

Written Expression 4.0 / 5

Flexibility of Closure 4.0 / 5

Oral Expression 4.0 / 5

Daily Tasks

Forensic Science Technicians typically:

Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Measure and sketch crime scenes to document evidence.
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.

Work Activities

Getting Information
Documenting/Recording Information
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Working with Computers
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Processing Information
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Tools & Technology

Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Adobe Photoshop, Linux In-demand technologies: Guidance Software EnCase Enterprise

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Related college programs include:

General Biology
Chemistry
Security Science and Technology
Criminal Justice & Corrections
Anthropology

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Careers similar to forensic science technicians include:

Also Known As

Ballistician, Ballistics Technician (Ballistics Tech), Biometric Fingerprint Technician (Biometric Fingerprint Tech), Biometric Fingerprinting Technician (Biometric Fingerprinting Tech), Biometrician, Blood Splatter Analyst, CSI (Crime Scene Investigator), Computer Forensics Technician (Computer Forensics Tech), Crime Analyst, Crime Lab Analyst (Crime Laboratory Analyst), Crime Lab Technician (Crime Laboratory Technician), Crime Scene Analyst (CSA), Crime Scene Examiner, Crime Scene Specialist, Crime Scene Technician (Crime Scene Tech).

References

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
O*NET-SOC code: 19-4092.00

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