Money · 1 of 5
What forensic scientists make
Median
$72,060
Lower tenth
$48,250
Top tenth
$117,250
The national median is $72,060 a year and the bottom tenth start near $48,250. The $117,250 top tenth is mostly federal laboratories and laboratory supervisors. Pay is set by public salary schedules, so it is predictable and it is not negotiable.