Forensic Science Degree Programs in Seattle, WA (2026)
Quick answer: The Seattle metro employs about 230 forensic science technicians (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through the agencies and crime laboratory system you are targeting.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Forensic science technicians are not licensed in the way clinical professions are. Hiring standards are set by the employing agency and the crime laboratory system it belongs to, and laboratory accreditation drives many of those standards. The national reference points are FEPAC program accreditation and, after employment and casework experience, certification through the American Board of Criminalistics.
See the Washington licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with the agencies and crime laboratory system you are targeting.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Forensic Science Technicians Earn in Seattle
Forensic Science Technicians in the Seattle area earn a median $95,460 per year, above the national median of $72,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Forensic Science Pay in Seattle, WA
| Metric | Seattle metro | Washington | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $95,460 | $81,310 | $72,060 |
| 10th percentile | $68,090 | $61,290 | $48,250 |
| 25th percentile | $80,410 | $70,720 | $57,830 |
| 75th percentile | $98,760 | $97,350 | $94,520 |
| 90th percentile | $119,190 | $108,300 | $117,250 |
| Employment | 230 | 390 | 19,120 |
| Location quotient | 0.9 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Seattle median of $95,460 is above the national median of $72,060, and above the Washington statewide median of $81,310 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 0.9 means forensic science technicians are less concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Forensic science hiring is concentrated in state and municipal crime laboratories and medical examiner offices, so openings follow agency budgets rather than the private labor market.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do forensic science technicians make in Seattle?
The median annual wage for forensic science technicians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $95,460, above the national median of $72,060 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many forensic science technicians work in the Seattle area?
The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area employs about 230 forensic science technicians (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do forensic science technicians in Seattle need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Forensic science technicians are not licensed in the way clinical professions are. Hiring standards are set by the employing agency and the crime laboratory system it belongs to, and laboratory accreditation drives many of those standards. The national reference points are FEPAC program accreditation and, after employment and casework experience, certification through the American Board of Criminalistics. Confirm current requirements with the agencies and crime laboratory system you are targeting.
Can I study forensic science online from Seattle?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies the agencies and crime laboratory system you are targeting.
Is Seattle a better market than the rest of Washington?
The Seattle metro median is $95,460 against a statewide median of $81,310 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Forensic Science degree programs in Washington - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Forensic Science programs and how to choose one
- Paralegal career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.