Forensic Science Technicians pay range in Charleston
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,120 a year or less, while the top 10% make $84,750 or more. The middle half of forensic science technicians in Charleston earn between $57,730 and $75,430.
- $44K10th
- $58K25th
- $64KMedian
- $75K75th
- $85K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $65,780 | $5,482 | $31.62 |
| Median | $63,920 | $5,327 | $30.73 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $57,730 | $4,811 | $27.75 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $75,430 | $6,286 | $36.26 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Forensic Science Technicians pay in Charleston vs. West Virginia and the U.S.
Forensic science technicians in Charleston earn 5% more than the West Virginia average ($62,840) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($79,200). At the median the gap is -11% against the U.S. median of $72,060.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $65,780 | $63,920 | $44,120 | $84,750 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $62,840 | $63,330 | $41,990 | $83,950 | 110 |
| United States | $79,200 | $72,060 | $48,250 | $117,250 | 19,120 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Forensic Science Technicians salary after taxes in Charleston
On the average salary of $65,780, a single filer in Charleston takes home about $52,911 a year, or $4,409 a month and $2,035 every two weeks. Taxes take 20% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Charleston a good place for forensic science technicians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Charleston area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.7), so the average $65,780 buys what about $74,146 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in Charleston ($45,830). A typical home costs $148,817, or 2.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Forensic Science Technicians salary in nearby metro areas
- Roanoke, VA$72,580
- Columbus, OH$87,420
- Winston-Salem, NC$48,620
- Pittsburgh, PA$57,740
- Greensboro, NC$61,740
- Asheville, NC$55,000
Highest-paying cities for forensic science technicians
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($132,690).
- San Jose, CA$132,690
- San Francisco, CA$127,560
- Los Angeles, CA$107,010
- Chicago, IL$105,710
- Sacramento, CA$105,420
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Forensic Science Technicians salary in Charleston: questions
How much do forensic science technicians make an hour in Charleston?
$31.63 an hour on average, and $30.73 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level forensic science technicians salary in Charleston?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $44,120 a year and the 25th percentile is $57,730, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the forensic science technicians take-home pay in Charleston?
About $52,911 a year ($4,409 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $65,780.
Do forensic science technicians earn more in Charleston than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($79,200).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-4092; area Charleston, WV (16620). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 0.2%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 6.21, this job is 6.2 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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