How Much Do Crime Scene Investigators Make an Hour?
Crime scene investigators, also known as forensic scientists or crime scene technicians, play a crucial role in the criminal justice system. They collect and analyze evidence from crime scenes to help solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. But how much do these investigators make an hour? In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question and provide an overview of the profession.
Direct Answer: How Much Do Crime Scene Investigators Make an Hour?
The hourly wage for crime scene investigators can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and employer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for forensic science technicians, which includes crime scene investigators, was $61,930 in May 2020. This translates to an hourly wage of $29.77.
Factors Affecting Hourly Wage
Several factors can impact the hourly wage of crime scene investigators. Here are some of the most significant ones:
- Location: Crime scene investigators working in urban areas tend to earn higher salaries than those working in rural areas. For example, forensic science technicians in the District of Columbia had a median annual salary of $74,110, while those in rural areas had a median annual salary of $49,640.
- Experience: More experienced crime scene investigators tend to earn higher salaries than those with less experience. According to the BLS, forensic science technicians with 5-10 years of experience had a median annual salary of $73,440, while those with 10-20 years of experience had a median annual salary of $84,110.
- Employer: Crime scene investigators working for federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), tend to earn higher salaries than those working for state or local law enforcement agencies. For example, forensic science technicians working for the FBI had a median annual salary of $94,640, while those working for state or local law enforcement agencies had a median annual salary of $54,440.
- Education: Crime scene investigators with advanced degrees, such as a master’s or Ph.D. in forensic science, tend to earn higher salaries than those with bachelor’s degrees. According to the BLS, forensic science technicians with a master’s degree had a median annual salary of $84,110, while those with a bachelor’s degree had a median annual salary of $61,930.
Hourly Wage by Industry
Here is a breakdown of the hourly wage for crime scene investigators by industry:
| Industry | Median Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| Federal Government | $44.31 |
| State Government | $26.39 |
| Local Government | $25.93 |
| Private Sector | $29.77 |
Hourly Wage by State
Here is a breakdown of the hourly wage for crime scene investigators by state:
| State | Median Hourly Wage |
|---|---|
| California | $33.51 |
| New York | $31.51 |
| Texas | $29.77 |
| Florida | $28.51 |
| Illinois | $27.51 |
Conclusion
Crime scene investigators play a critical role in the criminal justice system, and their hourly wage can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and employer. According to the BLS, the median annual salary for forensic science technicians was $61,930 in May 2020, which translates to an hourly wage of $29.77. However, salaries can range from $25.93 to $44.31 per hour depending on the industry and state.
