To become a forensic scientist, you'll typically earn a bachelor's degree in a physical science, biology or forensic science, get hired by a crime lab or police agency, then complete on-the-job training in your lab specialty. To work cases independently, you may need to pass a proficiency exam set by your state or approved by a lab or accrediting body.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) calls this job forensic science technician, and it covers both crime scene and laboratory work. Here's how people get in and what it pays.
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, read on 26 October 2026.
How to become a forensic scientist, step by step
- Pick a science degree. Physical science, biology or forensic science are typical. Forensic programs may specialize in areas such as toxicology, pathology or DNA. An associate's degree may be enough for some positions.
- Build your math. BLS stresses a solid understanding of statistics for interpreting evidence.
- Get hired. State and local government are among the main employers, through crime labs and police agencies.
- Complete on-the-job training. New crime scene technicians work under experienced staff, and lab specialties are learned on the job, usually in less than a year.
- Pass proficiency testing. To do independent casework, you may need to pass a proficiency exam or be approved by your lab or an accrediting body.
Crime scene or lab: two different jobs
Here's what TV gets wrong. Many forensic science technicians do both scene and lab work, but plenty specialize. At a scene, the job is photographing, sketching, recording, collecting and preserving evidence, then sometimes reconstructing what happened. In the lab, it's chemical, biological and microscopic analysis, reviewing DNA results and writing technical reports, including statistical analyses.
There's another catch. BLS says some crime scene investigators who work for police departments are sworn police officers, which means they first met the requirements for a police academy. If you want the crime scene side, check whether the agencies near you hire civilian technicians or sworn officers.
What forensic scientists earn
| Employer | Median pay, May 2025 |
|---|---|
| State government | $74,740 |
| Local government | $70,050 |
| Educational services | $61,680 |
| Testing laboratories and services | $49,600 |
Those figures are as of October 2026. Overall, the median was $72,060, with the lowest 10% earning less than $48,250 and the highest 10% more than $117,250. Government labs paid well above private testing laboratories.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of forensic science technicians to grow 13% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 2,800 openings each year. But it's a small field, with 20,100 jobs in 2025, so competition for each opening can be strong.
What the work demands
BLS highlights analytical skills to draw conclusions from evidence, communication skills because you'll write reports and testify in court, and a precise, detail-oriented approach to recording evidence. Most lab technicians work standard business hours, but some work extended or nonstandard hours and travel to crime scenes. Crime scene technicians may work staggered shifts and be on call.
Digital evidence is a growing specialty of its own. Our guide to the best digital forensics tools covers the software side, and if you're drawn to the investigation rather than the lab, see how to become a detective.
Is forensic science right for you?
- Lab or scene? They suit different temperaments and schedules.
- Am I comfortable testifying? Your work may end up in front of a jury.
- Do I like statistics? Interpreting evidence relies on it.
- Civilian or sworn? Some crime scene roles require police academy entry.
Specializing within forensics
Once you're in a lab, you may stay broad or specialize. BLS gives the example of a ballistics specialist, who compares spent cartridge cases from a crime scene with digital images in a national database, then refers potential matches to a forensic scientist for confirmation. Technicians also consult experts in fields such as toxicology, the study of poisons and their effects on the body, and odontology, the branch of forensic medicine that focuses on teeth.
Those who collect and store evidence at scenes are sometimes called crime scene technicians. They photograph and document the scene and search for fingerprints or DNA evidence. Choosing your specialty early helps you pick the right degree modules and internships, and it makes your applications far more focused.
My verdict
Becoming a forensic scientist starts with a solid science degree, not a TV-style forensics course. Choose biology, chemistry or an accredited forensic science program, get strong at statistics and aim for state or local government labs, which paid the most. The field is growing quickly but it's small, so internships and lab experience will set you apart.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do you need to be a forensic scientist?
Typically a bachelor's degree in a physical science, biology or forensic science. An associate's degree may be enough for some positions.
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How much do forensic scientists make?
BLS reports a median of $72,060 a year for forensic science technicians in May 2025, and $74,740 in state government.
Is forensic science a growing field?
Yes. BLS projects 13% growth from 2025 to 2035, but with only 20,100 jobs, openings are limited.
Do forensic scientists go to crime scenes?
Some do. Many technicians do both scene and lab work, while others specialize in laboratory analysis.
Do forensic scientists testify in court?
Yes. BLS says they write reports and testify in court.
Do you have to be a police officer to be a crime scene investigator?
Not always, but BLS says some crime scene investigators who work for police departments are sworn officers.
How long is forensic science training on the job?
BLS says lab specialty training varies but is usually less than a year.
What does a crime scene technician do?
Photographs and documents the scene, searches for fingerprints or DNA evidence, and collects and preserves evidence for the lab.
Can forensic scientists specialize?
Yes. BLS gives ballistics as an example, and technicians also work with toxicology and odontology experts.
Where do forensic scientists work?
State and local government are among the top employers, along with educational services and private testing laboratories.
Do forensic scientists work regular hours?
Most lab technicians work standard business hours, but some work extended hours and travel to crime scenes, and crime scene technicians may be on call.
What subjects should I study for forensic science?
Physical science, biology or forensic science, plus statistics, which BLS says you need to interpret evidence.
