Forensic Science Technicians
SOC Code: 19-4092 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Forensic Science Technicians. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $39,541 | $82,888 | $126,214 | $169,562 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $92,269 | $108,805 | $125,320 | $141,856 |
| Hammond, LA | $38,688 | $72,426 | $106,184 | $139,922 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $85,384 | $102,502 | $119,642 | $136,760 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $85,301 | $102,419 | $119,558 | $136,677 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $38,979 | $70,533 | $102,107 | $133,661 |
| Decatur, IL | $77,646 | $95,826 | $113,984 | $132,163 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,290 | $95,638 | $112,008 | $128,357 |
| Bloomington, IL | $64,522 | $85,218 | $105,934 | $126,630 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $64,522 | $85,218 | $105,934 | $126,630 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 | |
| Writing | 4.0 | |
| Speaking | 4.0 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.6 | |
| Active Learning | 3.4 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.2 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.2 | |
| Monitoring | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Law and Government | 4.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 4.2 |
| Education and Training | 3.7 |
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.3 |
| Administration and Management | 3.2 |
| Chemistry | 3.1 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Some college | 36.3% |
| High school diploma | 29.3% |
| Master's degree | 17.1% |
| Bachelor's degree | 15.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
- Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
- Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
- Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
- Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
- Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.
- Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
- Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Adobe Photoshop Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS Combined DNA Index System CODIS Computer aided design and drafting CADD software Corel WordPerfect Office Suite DM2 Bills of Lading DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
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