GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
$79K/yr
Average Salary
4 years
Years of Education
+13%
Job Growth
17K+
Total Jobs
Apply scientific principles to analyze evidence from crime scenes. Collect, identify, and classify physical evidence and run tests on materials such as fiber, hair, and tissue. May testify as an expert witness or specialize in ballistics or fingerprinting.
$48K
Starting
$79K
Average
$111K
Senior
High School Diploma or GED
Foundation requirement for all pathways
Bachelor's Degree in Biology
Typically 4 years
Start your career
Entry-level positions and internships
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Field
Law & Criminal Justice
Required Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Time in School
4 years
Job Demand
10-Year Job Growth
+13%
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Create free account →Federal labor-market data for Forensic Scientist
Pay range
$48K–$111K
10th–90th percentile
Job growth
+13%
projected 2024–2034
Number of jobs
17K
in 2024
Faster than average
Above-average demand growth expected. Projected to grow from 17K to 19K jobs by 2034.
Typical duties
Read the full duties, work environment, and education requirements on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Open BLS page →
BLS 'Forensic Science Technicians' (19-4092). Median $67,440. **13% growth — much faster than average**.