Professional/Career Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, job opportunities for forensic scientists are expected to grow by more than 30% by the year 2016. Payscale.com, www.payscale.com , reports that the median annual salary for a forensic scientist is between $40,000 and $74,000, depending on experience. Forensic scientists employed by federal agencies typically earn higher salaries than those employed by state and local agencies. See Bureau of Labor Statistics data below for more information.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2009 (14-4092 Forensic Science Technicians)
| Employment | Mean Annual Wage | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| National Estimates | 12,870 | $55,070 | |
| Local Government | 7,140 | $54,880 | |
| State Government | 4,290 | $53,070 | |
| Medical/Diagnostic Labs | 330 | $57,076 | |
| Federal | 160 | $92,100 | |
| Architect/Engin/Related Services | 120 | $59,320 | |
| Missouri Estimates |
280 | $45,210 | |
| Illinois Estimates | 690 | $68,350 | |
| St. Louis Estimates | 110 | $60,250 | |
Training Requirements to become a Forensic Scientist – A four-year bachelor’s degree in a laboratory-based scientific discipline is needed, with a strong background in physics, math, and chemistry being especially important. This background will also enable graduates to enter science fields other than forensic science or to pursue graduate studies in areas of biology or chemistry.