Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $86,150 +27.7% vs national
Median hourly $41.42
10th percentile $48,350
90th percentile $129,220
Employed locally 70
National median $67,440

Compare Forensic Science Technicians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Portland, OR-WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Forensic Science Technicians
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,350
    25th
    $65,090
    50th (median)
    $86,150
    75th
    $97,780
    90th
    $129,220

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 2023 • Census ACS
    Forensic Science Technicians salary vs area income 91% Median Forensic Science Technicians salary is 9% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Forensic Science Technicians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $131,390
    Illinois $117,590
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $103,930
    Akron, OH $102,230
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $100,800
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $99,670

    Nearby metros — Forensic Science Technicians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    California $96,850
    Colorado Springs, CO $80,400
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $78,460
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $78,170
    New York $78,170
    Oregon $78,100

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Biological Technicians $47,390
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $99,540
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $88,000
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $97,380
    Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $62,190
    Urban and Regional Planners $99,480

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Forensic Science Technicians make per hour in Portland?

    The median hourly wage for Forensic Science Technicians in Portland, OR-WA is $41.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $64.91 or more per hour.

    Is Portland above or below average for Forensic Science Technicians salaries?

    The median Forensic Science Technicians salary in Portland, OR-WA is 27.7% above the national median of $67,440. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Forensic Science Technicians in Portland?

    Entry-level Forensic Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $48,350 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,090.