How much does a forensic science technician make in California?
$102,100a year
Median yearly pay for forensic science technicians in California. That is $49.09 an hour or $8,508 a month.
- Hourly
- $49.09
- Vs. national median
- +42%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 41
- Jobs in the state
- 2,800
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $64,650Median: $102,100Highest 10%: $148,100
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $64,650 | $31.08 | |
| 25th | $80,810 | $38.85 | |
| Median | $102,100 | $49.09 | |
| 75th | $132,800 | $63.85 | |
| 90th | $148,100 | $71.20 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $137,300 |
| San Francisco, CA | $109,900 |
| San Diego, CA | $105,300 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $104,400 |
| Oxnard, CA | $102,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $101,800 |
| Fresno, CA | $85,200 |
| Riverside, CA | $82,320 |
| Stockton, CA | $81,930 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $79,970 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for forensic science technicians.
| 1. Illinois | $124,800 |
| 2. California | $102,100 |
| 3. Connecticut | $85,910 |
| 4. Colorado | $84,010 |
| 5. Montana | $82,200 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forensic science technician make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $49.09 ($102,100 a year).
Do forensic science technicians make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $102,100 against $72,060 nationally, 42% more.
Where does California rank for forensic science technician pay?
California ranks 2 of 41 states.
Which city in California pays forensic science technicians the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $137,300 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.