Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $79,910 +18.5% vs national
Median hourly $38.42
10th percentile $62,320
90th percentile $131,330
Employed locally 290
National median $67,440

Compare Forensic Science Technicians salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Riverside, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Forensic Science Technicians
in
Riverside, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,320
    25th
    $65,910
    50th (median)
    $79,910
    75th
    $97,720
    90th
    $131,330

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Forensic Science Technicians salary vs area income 93% Median Forensic Science Technicians salary is 7% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $131,390
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $103,930
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $100,800
    Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $99,670
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $98,110
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $97,040

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$92,230
    Occupational Health and Safety Technicians$57,610
    Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$128,890
    School Psychologists$124,200
    Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$96,390
    Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$96,600

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Forensic Science Technicians in Riverside, CA is $38.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $59.83 or more per hour.

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

    The median Forensic Science Technicians salary in Riverside, CA is 18.5% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Forensic Science Technicians (10th percentile) earn around $62,320 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $65,910.