Forensic Scientist Salary in NYC: 2026 Pay Guide
Compare national BLS medians with NYC metro wages and sample OCME job ranges for forensic scientists, pathology technicians and forensic accountants. Sources linked.
Forensic Scientist Salary in New York City: 2026 Pay Guide
If you're considering a forensic science career in New York City, a useful official benchmark is $81,670 per year, or $39.27 per hour. That is the median wage reported for Forensic Science Technicians in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area using 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data.
But that is not the only number you will find online. Current private salary estimates for a "Forensic Scientist" in New York range from the upper-$80,000s to more than $120,000 a year. The difference is not necessarily a contradiction: each source uses a different methodology, and some measure a broader job title or total compensation rather than the BLS occupational category.
Forensic scientist salary in NYC at a glance
| Source | NYC / New York estimate | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| BLS / O*NET | $81,670 median / $39.27 per hour | 2025 wage data for Forensic Science Technicians in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area |
| Indeed | $88,400 per year | Estimated Forensic Scientist salary for New York City |
| ZipRecruiter | $86,875 per year / $41.77 per hour | New York State estimate for the Forensic Scientist title |
| Salary.com | $120,903 per year / about $58 per hour | Salary.com's modeled Forensic Scientist estimate for New York City |
| Glassdoor | $120,000 median total pay | Estimated total compensation, including base and additional pay |
These figures should not be treated as interchangeable. The BLS-based number is an occupational wage benchmark for Forensic Science Technicians, while Indeed, ZipRecruiter and Salary.com use their own salary-estimation methodologies. Glassdoor reports estimated total compensation, which may include pay beyond base salary.
For a job seeker, the most useful approach is to compare several benchmarks and then look at what employers are actually offering for positions with similar duties, education requirements and experience levels.
What does the official government data say?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies forensic science technicians under occupational code SOC 19-4092.
Nationally, the median wage for forensic science technicians was $72,060 per year, or $34.65 per hour, in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $48,250 nationally, while the highest-paid 10% earned more than $117,250.
The local picture is different. According to local wage data published through O*NET using BLS figures , the New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area reported the following annual wage distribution:
| Percentile | Annual pay | Hourly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $63,970 | $30.75 |
| 25th percentile | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Median | $81,670 | $39.27 |
| 75th percentile | $100,310 | $48.23 |
| 90th percentile | $105,920 | $50.92 |
That distribution is more useful than a single average. Someone entering the field should not assume that $100,000 is a typical starting salary, while an experienced worker in a specialized or more responsible role may reasonably encounter compensation near or above six figures.
Why do salary websites show such different numbers?
A search for "forensic scientist salary NYC" can produce numbers that differ by tens of thousands of dollars. There are several reasons for that.
- Different job definitions: BLS reports the defined occupation "Forensic Science Technicians." Employers and salary websites may use "Forensic Scientist" for a wider range of laboratory and scientific positions.
- Different data sources: government surveys, employer job postings, employee-submitted salaries and proprietary compensation models do not measure the market in exactly the same way.
- Base salary versus total compensation: Glassdoor's figure is presented as total pay, while other sources may focus more heavily on salary.
- Experience and specialization: DNA analysis, toxicology, laboratory quality control, supervisory responsibilities and advanced scientific work can substantially change the compensation attached to a forensic role.
- Location: "New York" may refer to the state, New York City itself or the wider New York-Newark-Jersey City metropolitan area.
For that reason, no single salary website should be treated as the definitive answer. The strongest benchmark is usually a combination of official wage data and recent job postings for positions that closely match the work you want to do.
What is New York City actually offering for forensic jobs?
One of the best sources for real-world NYC compensation is the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) . OCME employs forensic scientists, criminalists, forensic pathology staff, evidence specialists and other professionals involved in forensic science and medicine.
As of September 2026, New York City job postings provide several useful examples of what related forensic positions can pay:
| NYC role | Posted salary | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Criminalist IA – Forensic Pathology Coordinator | $60,269 | OCME criminalist role requiring a relevant bachelor's degree |
| Medical Examiner Assistant | $65,669–$89,119 | Experienced forensic autopsy and mortuary-services role |
| Forensic Quality Specialist | $81,751 | OCME forensic quality-control position |
These jobs are not identical to the BLS Forensic Science Technician occupation, so their salaries should not be mixed into a single "average." They are useful because they show the range of forensic work that exists within NYC government and how compensation changes with duties and experience.
City vacancies can also close or change, so always check the linked posting or NYC Jobs before applying.
Can forensic scientists make more than $100,000 in NYC?
Yes, but six-figure compensation should not be treated as the automatic starting point for the occupation.
The BLS-derived metro data puts the 75th percentile at $100,310 and the 90th percentile at $105,920 for forensic science technicians in the New York metro area. Meanwhile, some private salary models report still higher estimates for the broader Forensic Scientist title.
Higher compensation is more likely to be associated with advanced experience, specialized scientific work, supervisory duties, quality management or positions that do not map perfectly to the standard Forensic Science Technician category.
What education do forensic scientists need?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for forensic science technicians. Common areas of study include forensic science, biology and other physical or natural sciences.
New York City positions can be more specific. For example, a 2026 OCME Criminalist posting listed qualifying bachelor's-degree specializations including criminalistics, forensic science, chemistry, biology, physics, molecular genetics, genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, entomology, anthropology, ecology and closely related scientific or engineering fields.
The same city posting required at least one year of qualifying forensic or analytical experience for Assignment Level I-B, while higher Criminalist levels require progressively more qualifying experience.
That is why candidates should read the actual minimum-qualification section carefully rather than assume that every criminal-justice or science degree qualifies for every laboratory position.
Is forensic science a growing career?
The national outlook is relatively strong. The BLS projects employment of forensic science technicians to grow 13% from 2025 through 2035 , which is faster than the projection for all occupations.
The agency expects about 2,800 openings per year, on average, during the decade. BLS also reports that government dominates employment in the occupation: local government accounted for 64% of forensic science technician jobs in 2025 and state government for another 27%.
That makes public-sector employers especially important for anyone building a forensic career.
Do not search only for "Forensic Scientist"
One common mistake is using a single job title. Employers may advertise closely related work under very different names.
Useful searches can include:
- Forensic Scientist
- Forensic Science Technician
- Criminalist
- Forensic Biology
- Forensic Toxicology
- Crime Laboratory Analyst
- DNA Analyst
- Evidence Specialist
- Forensic Quality Specialist
- Crime Scene Technician
The OCME careers overview itself lists a workforce that includes forensic scientists, medicolegal investigators, forensic anthropologists, evidence and property-control specialists and other forensic professionals.
How to evaluate a forensic science job offer in NYC
Instead of comparing an offer with one salary number from Google, compare it with several pieces of evidence.
- Identify the closest occupation. Determine whether the job really matches Forensic Science Technician work or a more specialized role.
- Check the NYC metro benchmark. Compare the offer with the BLS/O*NET wage distribution rather than only the median.
- Compare similar current vacancies. Look at NYC government and private-employer postings with similar duties and requirements.
- Separate salary from total compensation. Benefits, overtime, shift differentials, pensions and additional pay can materially change the value of an offer.
- Compare responsibility levels. A trainee or junior laboratory role should not be benchmarked against a senior scientist, supervisor or laboratory-management position.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a forensic scientist make in NYC?
The official BLS-derived median for Forensic Science Technicians in the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro area is $81,670 per year, or $39.27 per hour. Private websites currently publish estimates ranging from roughly the upper-$80,000s to around $120,000 for the broader Forensic Scientist title.
What is the starting salary for forensic science jobs in NYC?
There is no single official starting salary. The BLS metro wage distribution starts around $63,970 at the 10th percentile, and recent NYC forensic-related job postings have included salaries in approximately the $60,000 range for some lower-level criminalist positions. Actual starting pay depends on the position and qualifications.
How much do experienced forensic scientists make in NYC?
The NYC metro's 75th-percentile wage for forensic science technicians is approximately $100,310, with the 90th percentile around $105,920. Specialized or senior positions may pay more, particularly when they involve supervisory or advanced scientific responsibilities.
Do you need a master's degree to become a forensic scientist?
Usually not for entry into the occupation. The BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for forensic science technicians. Individual employers may require particular coursework, laboratory experience or advanced education for specialized positions.
Where can I find forensic jobs in New York City?
Search both general job boards and public-sector employers. The City of New York jobs portal and OCME are especially relevant for public-sector forensic careers. You can also search current openings on Empregara and use related terms such as Criminalist, Forensic Biology and Forensic Toxicology rather than searching only for "Forensic Scientist."
Bottom line
Forensic scientists and forensic science technicians in New York City can encounter a wide salary range, but the strongest government benchmark currently puts the NYC metro median at $81,670 a year.
Private estimates are higher in some cases, including about $88,400 on Indeed and $120,903 on Salary.com, while real NYC government positions show how dramatically compensation can vary by responsibility and specialty.
If you are evaluating a job offer, do not focus on one headline salary. Compare the job's actual responsibilities, experience requirements and specialty with official local wage data and recent positions from comparable employers.
Methodology: This guide compares 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data with salary estimates available in September 2026 from Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Salary.com and Glassdoor, plus 2026 job postings from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The sources use different job definitions and methodologies, so their figures should be treated as benchmarks rather than directly interchangeable estimates.
Last updated: . Salary estimates and job postings can change over time.
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