Forensic Science Technicians

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security · Law Enforcement Services

Bright outlookJob zone 3: medium preparationO*NET 19-4092.00

Pay and outlook shown for

median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

$43k10th$60kMedian$81k90th

New workers start near $42,990; experienced workers reach $81,330. About 160 people do this job in San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX.

Job outlook

Alamo region (San Antonio and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034; U.S. figures from the BLS.

Employment change: +15.6%; Alamo region, 160 to 185 jobs · U.S. +13%
Openings a year: 23; in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 2,900
Employed in 2024: 160; in the Alamo region · U.S. 20,700

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree · Training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

Alamo Colleges programs that lead here

13 programs, with the college that teaches each.

Showing 10 of 13.

Apply to Alamo Colleges

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

Reading Comprehension4.1
Active Listening4.1
Writing4.1
Speaking4.1
Critical Thinking4.1
Complex Problem Solving3.6
Active Learning3.9
Judgment and Decision Making3.6

What the work is

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

High school or less29%
Certificate36%
Bachelor's degree32%
Master's degree2%

Job zone 3, medium preparation: Training, an associate degree, or a few years of related experience.

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