SOC 19-4092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Forensic Science Technicians — Alabama
Alabama · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Alabama is $59,560 a year, trailing the national median of $72,060 by 17.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Alabama is $59,560 a year, trailing the national median of $72,060 by 17.3%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $49,000 and $74,290. The lowest tenth earn under $39,300, while the highest tenth earn more than $88,510.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.61 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Alabama ranks number 35th out of 41 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Birmingham records the highest median at $67,340. Of the 690 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 295th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,300 | −45.5% |
| 25th | $49,000 | −32.0% |
| Median (50th) | $59,560 | −17.3% |
| 75th | $74,290 | +3.1% |
| 90th | $88,510 | +22.8% |
| Mean | $63,470 | −11.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $67,340 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $59,560 goes as far as $67,072 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,560as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,072US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,560 a year, 17.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,300 to $88,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 35th of 41 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Birmingham, at $67,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $59,560, or $28.64 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $72,060, so pay in Alabama is 17.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Alabama earns more than $88,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,300 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Birmingham, at $67,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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