Crime laboratory analysis
Forensic Scientist
Bench science with a courtroom attached.
Typical pay
$55k-$100k
How you get in
Natural science degree with specific coursework
Outlook
Competitive; DNA and toxicology have the most openings
Lots of openings
6/100Openings come up often relative to the size of this field, and the field is growing.
JobPOVs index, calculated from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025-2035 for Forensic science technicians. It measures how many openings arise each year relative to the size of the field — not how many people apply. BLS does not publish a saturation figure.
Forensic scientists analyze evidence in crime laboratories — DNA, toxicology, firearms, trace. It is rigorous analytical chemistry and biology, plus the obligation to defend your work under cross-examination.
A day in the life
8:00a – 4:00p · 8 hours
- 8:00aInstrument calibration and quality controls
- 9:00aProcess evidence following strict chain of custody
- 11:30aAnalyze samples on the instrument
- 1:00pLunch
- 2:00pInterpret results and write the report
- 4:00pPrepare for testimony in an upcoming trial
How to get in
Chemistry or biology degree
Duration
4 years
Cost
$40,000-$150,000
Credential
BS in chemistry, biology or forensic science
- Complete a hard science degree — labs prefer chemistry or biology over general forensic science
- Meet the specific coursework requirements, especially for DNA analysis
- Intern in a crime lab if at all possible
- Apply to state, county or federal laboratories
DNA analyst specialization
Duration
4-6 years
Cost
$40,000-$180,000
Credential
BS or MS meeting FBI QAS coursework requirements
- Complete genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology and statistics coursework
- These specific courses are federally mandated for DNA analysts
- Complete the laboratory's internal training program, which takes many months
- DNA is the largest and most consistently hiring discipline
Toxicology and specialized disciplines
Duration
4-7 years
Cost
$40,000-$180,000
Credential
BS or MS plus ABC or ABFT certification
- Specialize in toxicology, trace evidence, firearms or digital forensics
- Pursue board certification in your discipline
- Consider private laboratory work, which pays more than government
- Digital forensics has the most openings and best pay right now
What people love
- · Rigorous, meaningful analytical science
- · Government stability and benefits
- · Direct contribution to justice outcomes
- · Deep specialization in a discipline
What wears people down
- · Backlogs create real pressure
- · Cross-examination is adversarial by design
- · Disturbing case material
- · Very competitive — far more graduates than positions