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Forensic Lab Tech Salary in the United States

How much does a Forensic Lab Tech make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Forensic Lab Tech in the United States is $39,392 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Forensic Lab Tech's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,691
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $36,851 to $42,689
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,538
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Forensic Lab Tech Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Forensic Lab Tech Salaries

A Forensic Lab Tech's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Forensic Lab Tech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Forensic Lab Tech's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $38,705
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $66,463
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $98,911
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $126,979
  • Expert (over 8 years): $169,755
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Forensic Lab Tech less than 1 year $38,705
Patient Accounts Supervisor 1-2 years $66,463
Patient Accounts Manager 2-4 years $98,911
Patient Accounts Senior Manager 5-8 years $126,979
Patient Accounts Director over 8 years $169,755

How Do Forensic Lab Tech Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Forensic Lab Teches. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $43,614.
  • California: $43,449.
  • Massachusetts: $42,870.

Top Paying Cities for Forensic Lab Tech

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $49,685
  • San Francisco: $49,141
  • Oakland: $48,105

Forensic Lab Tech Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Forensic Lab Tech roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Forensic Lab Tech positions in Healthcare typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Forensic Lab Tech as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Forensic Lab Tech

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $47,270 $23.0 20%

How Education impacts a Forensic Lab Tech's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Forensic Lab Tech professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Forensic Lab Tech with a high school is between $42,488 and $44,992.

Forensic Lab Tech Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Forensic Lab Tech
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1.6%
High School 50.8%
Associate's Degree 23%
Bachelor's Degree 22.3%
Master's Degree or MBA 2.3%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%
View as Graph

Forensic Lab Tech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Forensic Lab Tech's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$36,851
Average $39,392/year
$42,689
$3,071
Average $3,283/month
$3,557
$709
Average $758/week
$821
$18
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,689 $3,557 $821 $21
Average $39,392 $3,283 $758 $19
25th Percentile $36,851 $3,071 $709 $18

Most common benefits for Forensic Lab Tech

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Forensic Lab Tech

Here are companies hiring for Forensic Lab Tech and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Forensic Lab Tech Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Forensic Lab Tech job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Alois Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Cath Lab Tech

    Alois Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Cardiac Cath Lab Tech. The Cardiac Cath Lab Tech performs advanced diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures, peripheral vascular procedures, and st... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Fusion Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Cath Lab Tech

    Fusion Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    Cath Lab Tech. Job #1972514. Columbus, OH $2284-2626 /week* 40 hrs /week. Estimated payments include wages and expense reimbursement, are based on informat... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Med Lab Tech

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Med Lab Tech-Testing. The medical lab technologist - testing performs specimen processing, test request entry, order entry verification and correction, and... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Aya Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Cath Lab Tech

    Aya Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Procedural Radiologic Technologist (Cath Lab). Location: Riverside Hospital (Columbus, OH). Shift: 4x10's (0700-1730). every other weekend. every other hol... more

    8 Days Ago

  • PSNYC | Columbus, OH

    Cath Lab Tech

    PSNYC | Columbus, OH

    Allied / Tech - IR Tech. Shift: Day 5x8-Hour (07:45 - 16:15). Description: Real Job - 33799921st Timer/ IR Tech - 07:45-16:15 - 2 Yrs Exp Shift: 40 hours/w... more

    8 Days Ago

  • TactStaff | Columbus, OH

    Tech Cath Lab EP

    TactStaff | Columbus, OH

    $2521.44/week –. Job Summary. The Cath Lab Tech is responsible for assisting with cardiovascular procedures in the catheterization lab. They ensure the qua... more

    9 Days Ago

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FAQ about Forensic Lab Tech

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Forensic Lab Tech?

The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Forensic Lab Tech roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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