Forensic Scientist Salary in the United States

Didn't find your job?
Click

How much does a Forensic Scientist make?

As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Forensic Scientist in the United States is $112,747. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $102,503 to $125,632, with most professionals earning between $93,177 and $137,362.

Search Forensic Scientist Jobs the United States

Develop a Job description
Pay Equity
2024 Compensation Trend
Benefits Consulting
Salary range for a Forensic Scientist
$102,503 to $125,632
Employers: Find Surveys For This Job
Employers: Price Your Company Jobs
download asset banner
Facing Salary Structure Challenges? Let Our Expert Guide You
The job market is increasingly challenging. Our whitepaper, Navigating the Challenges of Creating Salary Structures, offers guidance on creating salary structures. Provide your phone number and work email to download the full version.
We will handle your contact details in line with our Privacy Policy. If you prefer not to receive marketing emails from Salary.com, you can opt-out out of marketing communications at any time by clicking unsubscribe.

Search Forensic Scientist Job Openings

Job Openings for Forensic Scientist

Forensic Scientist Salary in Major Cities

This chart shows the salary comparison for Forensic Scientist between major cities. San Francisco City consistently ranks #1 as of April 01, 2025. Click on the chart to see the detail salary data for Forensic Scientist in each city.

Forensic Scientist Salary by City

Click to see the salary for Forensic Scientist in these major U.S. cities.
City Name Average Salary
San Francisco, CA $140,810
Washington, DC $124,834
Miami, FL $108,327
Chicago, IL $116,513
Boston, MA $125,747
New York, NY $130,663
Dallas, TX $111,338
If you'd like know Forensic Scientist Salary in other cities, then please select a city in

Average Salary Range for Forensic Scientist

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
102503
125632
112747

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
105085
129610
116527
What is the average salary for Forensic Scientist in 2025?
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of Forensic Scientist in the United States. The base salary for Forensic Scientist ranges from $102,503 to $125,632 with the average base salary of $112,747. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $105,085 to $129,610 with the average total cash compensation of $116,527.

View Average Salary for Forensic Scientist as table

Average Salary Average Salary Range
Base Salary $112,747 $102,503 - $125,632
Bonus $3,780 $2,581 - $3,979
Total Pay $116,527 $105,085 - $129,610
* Base Salary represents gross income before taxes and deductions. It does not include additional pay such as benefits, bonuses, profit sharing or commissions.
* Total Pay combines base salary, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job.

Estimate Salary for Forensic Scientist online for free

Salary.com Estimate Salary Tool provides free, accurate and real-time salary for thousands of careers. Please enter the following pay factors for Forensic Scientist, to get a real-time salary target. If you want to get more detailed salary information, please view Professional Salary Report
Select Relevant job experience
  • Select Relevant job experience
  • 0 years
  • 1 years
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5 years
  • 6 years
  • 7 years
  • 8 years
  • 9 years
  • 10 years
  • 11 years
  • 12 years
  • 13 years
  • 14 years
  • 15 years
  • 16 years
  • 17 years
  • 18 years
Select person you report to
  • Select person you report to
  • Supervisor
  • Manager
  • Director
  • Senior Management
  • CEO / Board of Directors
  • Other
Select Level of education
  • Select Level of education
  • I have not earned a degree
  • High School Diploma or Tech Certificate
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or MBA
  • JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent
Select number of people you manager
  • Select number of people you manager
  • 0
  • 1 - 5
  • 6 - 10
  • 11 - 25
  • 26 - 100
  • 100 +
Your target salary is ?
102503
125632

 

Comments about Forensic Scientist

What's the difference between Forensic Interviewer and Forensic Scientist?
According to our latest salary estimation on April 01, 2025. The average salary of Forensic Scientist is $112,747, and the average salary of Forensic Interviewer is $73,434. The average salary of Forensic Interviewer is lower than Forensic Scientist. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
I am a Forensic Scientist, which location’s salary is higher, Riverside, CA or Bossier City, LA?
Riverside, CA typically sees higher pay than Bossier City, LA for Forensic Scientist. a Forensic Scientist Salary in Riverside, CA is $118,960 as of April 01, 2025; a Forensic Scientist Salary in Bossier City, LA is $103,434 as of April 01, 2025. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )

Forensic Scientist Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the salary of a Forensic Scientist vary from city to city?
The cost of living is tied to salaries. If the expenses are higher in a particular city, then the wage level will be higher as well to afford the people can opportunity to live there. This is why you're always going to make more money in New York City for example, than in a small town. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
What are the Pay Factors for Forensic Scientist?
Salary ranges for a Forensic Scientist can vary widely, depending on the city and several other pay factors, including (but not limited to) education level, certifications, additional skills, and work experience. Click here to view Eight Factors That Can Affect Your Pay ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )
How the Pay Factors Influence Your Pay?
Salaries are ultimately dictated by the position being applied to, and hiring company, but there are several important pay factors that come into play based on your individual history that could impact your value to the company. Salary.com's Personal Salary Report will analyze these factors for you to help you maximize your earning potential. ( 2025-03-25 salary.com )

Recently searched related titles: Scientific Research Assistant, Assistant Environmental Scientist, Bioinformatic Scientist

Learn more about: Compensation Packages, Employee Flight Risk, Gender Pay Gap, Job Openings for This Role

Jobs with a similar salary range to Forensic Scientist : Scientist II, Qc Associate Scientist, Associate Scientist I

Last Update: April 01, 2025