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Forensic Science Technicians in Oregon

Thinking about a career as a Forensic Science Technicians in Oregon? 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.

$78,100 Median Annual Wage (Oregon)

$85,117 National Median Annual Wage

110 Oregon Employment

Medium Preparation Needed Typical Preparation

What do Forensic Science Technicians Make in Oregon?

For forensic science technicians working in Oregon, the median annual wage is $78,100 per year (or roughly $37.55/hour).Pay can range from $53,090 at the 10th percentile to $129,220 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$53,090	$25.52
25th percentile	$61,760	$29.69
Median (50th)	$78,100	$37.55
75th percentile	$97,110	$46.69
90th percentile	$129,220	$62.12

Salary ranges for Forensic Science Technicians in Oregon

The job concentration index in Oregon relative to the national average — is 0.43, suggesting 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 Oregon median.

Forensic Science Technicians earnings in Oregon vs. the national average

Employment Outlook

National employment for 30,311 forensic science technicians nationwide. In Oregon alone, around 110 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 210 forensic science technicians.

Forensic Science Technicians in Oregon vs. the average state

Forecasted number of jobs for Forensic Science Technicians

Top Oregon Metros for Forensic Science Technicians

These are the Oregon metros with the most forensic science technicians in Oregon.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	70	$86,150

Top States for Forensic Science Technicians Employment

The table below shows the states where 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

These states pay the most for 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

Key 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

Key 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

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

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: 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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