SOC 19-4092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Forensic Science Technicians — Portland
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
In Portland, OR the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians is $87,460 a year, which is 21.4% higher than the national figure of $72,060.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Portland, OR the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians is $87,460 a year, which is 21.4% higher than the national figure of $72,060. Half of workers earn between $68,570 and $102,520. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $58,210 and the ninetieth at $135,010.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.52 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 203rd of 681 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,210 | −19.2% |
| 25th | $68,570 | −4.8% |
| Median (50th) | $87,460 | +21.4% |
| 75th | $102,520 | +42.3% |
| 90th | $135,010 | +87.4% |
| Mean | $90,620 | +25.8% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Portland run 3.4% above the national average, so the median of $87,460 buys what $84,584 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 17.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$87,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.4US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$84,584US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $87,460 a year, 21.4% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $58,210 to $135,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians in Portland, OR?
The median annual wage is $87,460, or $42.05 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 Portland, OR is 21.4% higher. 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 Portland, OR earns more than $135,010 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $58,210 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Portland, OR. 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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