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Forensic Science Technicians

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipHigh pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Investigative: Science, research, figuring out how things work and solving complex problems.
  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

High pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $72,060 Median per year · $34.65/hr Most earn $48,250–$117,250

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Analyze data from computers or other digital media sources for evidence related to criminal activity.
  • Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
  • Examine physical evidence, such as hair, biological fluids, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
  • Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
  • Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
  • Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
13% more jobs by 2035, much faster than average · about 2,800 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals64.3%
  • State government, excluding education and hospitals26.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Certificate or apprenticeshipExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Forensic Science Technician is usually not a straight-out-of-school job. Most people spend about 1 to 2 years in related evidence or lab work first, often after a certificate or apprenticeship. With science coursework and a good start, you can build toward it steadily.

  1. High school diploma with strong science and math

    4 years

    Chemistry, biology, and math give you the foundation for lab work and evidence analysis, and they open the door to certificate programs.

  2. Certificate or associate degree in forensic science, chemistry, or criminal justice

    1-2 years

    This coursework teaches evidence collection, lab methods, and the rules for handling evidence, which employers look for when hiring.

  3. Police Identification and Records Officer

    1-2 years

    In this role you handle fingerprints, photos, and records, and you learn how evidence is documented and kept, building the hands-on experience needed for crime lab work.

  4. Forensic Science Technician

    Career level

    You collect and analyze physical evidence, run lab tests, and may testify in court as an expert on your findings.

Where it can lead

  1. Senior Forensic Scientist

    3-5 years of experience first

    You take on complex cases, mentor newer technicians, and become the go-to expert in a specialty such as ballistics, DNA, or trace evidence.

  2. Digital Forensics Analyst

    1-2 years of experience first

    This related role focuses on recovering and analyzing data from computers and phones, which usually requires extra training in computer evidence and often a bachelor's degree.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take chemistry and biologyThese classes teach the lab methods and science reasoning that forensic testing depends on.
  • Join a science or forensics clubMany schools have science clubs or mock crime scene events that let you practice real evidence-style thinking with classmates.
  • Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or community labSeeing how a lab runs and following strict procedures shows you what daily lab work is like.
  • Get a starter job that builds care and reliabilityJobs like working at a library or store teach record-keeping, following rules, and staying accurate under pressure.
  • Take a criminal justice or law class if your school offers oneIt gives you a basic picture of how evidence is used in the court system.

In college

  • Major in forensic science, chemistry, or biologyA science major gives you the lab training and analytical skills that forensic employers expect.
  • Do an internship at a crime lab, police department, or medical examiner's officeHands-on experience with real evidence work is one of the best ways to stand out when applying for jobs.
  • Work a campus lab jobResearch assistant or lab tech jobs on campus teach you careful procedures, documentation, and how to use lab instruments.
  • Look into a certificate in crime scene investigation or evidence handlingMany schools and community colleges offer these, and they match the training employers look for in technicians.
  • Join a forensic science or criminal justice student groupThese groups often host guest speakers and workshops that show you the field and help you build contacts.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for part-time or volunteer work at a police department, sheriff's office, hospital lab, or records office. Any hands-on evidence or record-keeping experience helps.
  • Learn to write clearly and keep careful notes. Forensic work depends on accurate reports, and you may need to explain them to a jury.
  • Take courses that combine lab science with careful, detail-focused work, like chemistry, biology, and statistics, so you build the skills the work needs.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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