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Forensic Science Technicians in Missouri

Forensic Science Technicians in Missouri

Considering working as a Forensic Science Technicians in Missouri? Here’s what the data says. 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.

What do Forensic Science Technicians Make in Missouri?

For forensic science technicians working in Missouri, the typical annual salary is $64,700 per year (or roughly $31.11/hour).Earnings range from $45,360 at the 10th percentile to $87,420 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic Annual Hourly
10th percentile $45,360 $21.81
25th percentile $51,500 $24.76
Median (50th) $64,700 $31.11
75th percentile $73,920 $35.54
90th percentile $87,420 $42.03
Salary ranges for Forensic Science Technicians in Missouri

The job concentration index in Missouri nationwide is 0.77, meaning fewer forensic science technicians per worker than the national average.

National Wage Comparison

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

Forensic Science Technicians earnings in Missouri vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 30,311 forensic science technicians in the U.S.. In Missouri alone, about 280 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 210 forensic science technicians.

Forensic Science Technicians in Missouri vs. the average state Forecasted number of jobs for Forensic Science Technicians

Top Missouri Metros for Forensic Science Technicians

The metro areas below employ the most forensic science technicians in Missouri.

Metro Area Number Employed Annual Median Salary
Kansas City, MO-KS 130 $77,280
St. Louis, MO-IL 90 $64,700

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
0
5
Speaking  4.0 / 5
0
5
Reading Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Active Listening  4.0 / 5
0
5
Writing  4.0 / 5
0
5
Complex Problem Solving  3.6 / 5
0
5

Knowledge Areas

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

Law and Government  4.5 / 5
0
5
Public Safety and Security  4.2 / 5
0
5
Education and Training  3.7 / 5
0
5
English Language  3.6 / 5
0
5
Computers and Electronics  3.4 / 5
0
5
Customer and Personal Service  3.3 / 5
0
5

Abilities

The abilities that matter most for forensic science technicians, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Oral Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Comprehension  4.0 / 5
0
5
Near Vision  4.0 / 5
0
5
Written Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5
Flexibility of Closure  4.0 / 5
0
5
Oral Expression  4.0 / 5
0
5

Daily Tasks

Common tasks include:

  • 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?

Several college majors map to this occupation:

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

Other careers like 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

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