25 Best States for Forensic Science Technicians

Better call Bones because it’s time for best states for forensic science technicians. I love forensic science technicians, but I was not always this way. It has something to do with a little show I like to call Bones. Okay, so maybe that’s what everyone calls the show Bones, but after 11 seasons I feel like maybe we have something special.

I’m a late-comer to Bones, the Fox TV show about a forensic anthropologist starring Emily Deschanel. My wife insisted that I watch it with her–on her third or fourth rewatching of the series. Usually, I know that my wife is much cooler than me, but in this moment–I had to question it? Did I want to watch a show called “Bones” with Angel from Angel and Buffy two other shows I did not watch or care about? It seemed unlikely. I’m not into sci-fi or particularly violent shows–Game of Thrones notwithstanding.

Somehow, though, Bones worked its way into my heart. I learned about the way forensic scientists work. Or at least the way they do on TV shows, which I’m sure is, like everything on FOX, researched and vetted with laser-like accuracy. Still, Bones gave me respect for a field I generally thought of as gross or did not think of it at all beforehand. So thanks Bones, and thank you, forensic scientists. I admire your ability to understand science and not be grossed out by gross stuff.

Since forensic science technicians usually work hand in hand with other investigators, do you think the states in this article also made it to the Best States for Detectives and Criminal Investigators?

In looking for the best states for forensic science technicians, we considered three points of value which are of equal importance for all occupations. First is the cost of living rates. This one might be often overlooked because we usually just look for states offering high wages and decide on that alone. What we fail to realize is that how much we spend on a daily basis has a direct effect on how much we actually take home on payday, you know, after paying the bills.

Another point is employment rates. The higher the employment rates, the better the state is for the job–in this case, for forensic science technicians. And last but definitely not the least, the annual median wages they have. Of course, the higher the wage, the better they rank. That one is a no-brainer.

Information on each state’s cost of living was derived from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, while the data regarding employment rates and annual median wages for every state were sourced from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Read on to know more about the states that made it to the list.

25. Nebraska

Annual median wage: $50,590

Cost of living: 91.3

Employment: 100

Known for cheap living expenses, no wonder more and more people now prefer to live and work in Nebraska rather than any other states in America. This state’s cost of living rates are so steep, it is easy to think that even the lowest wage-earning family can sustain a living here without much effort. Wages might not always be so high, but would actually be worth even more in Nebraska. The employment rates they have look great as well.

24. Idaho

Annual median wage: $46,490

Cost of living: 89.6

Employment: 100

Nebraska and Idaho share the same employment rates, which is hovering just around the national average. This one has slightly lower wages than that of Nebraska’s, which is perfectly balanced by their equally low cost of living rates. You might think that’s too low of a salary for a forensic science technician, but if you think about it, it will turn out to still be enough in Idaho, where everything is generally cheaper than in other places in the country.

23. Oregon

Annual median wage: $65,420

Cost of living: 115.4

Employment: 210

Oregon might be a little expensive when you consider their cost of living rates, which could also be the reason why they pay more than cheaper states. The wages they have for forensic science technicians go way past the average, attracting more and more professionals to try and get a job there. The employment rates they have are quite good, too.

22. Maryland

Annual median wage: $59,050

Cost of living: 125

Employment: 440

Maryland’s claim to fame is its employment rates, not just for forensic science technicians but for other professionals as well. They have an expensive cost of living expenses, which has always been known in the country. Despite that, people still move there with hopes of bagging a high-paying job. Staying true to its reputation, wages for this job is higher than the national average.

21. Alabama

Annual median wage: $47,970

Cost of living: 91.2

Employment: 170

Alabama is one of America’s most affordable states to live in. These past few years have been great for the state because of constant economic developments they have been having, creating more employment opportunities for various occupations. For forensic science technicians, Alabama has wages that are lower than the average, which is compensated by really low living expenses. Their employment rates are better than most as well.

20. Florida

Annual median wage: $44,800

Cost of living: 99

Employment: 1,480

Despite wages that do not even meet the national average and cost of living rates that hang tight just on the average, you might be wondering how Florida even made it to our list, and at Top 20 of best states for forensic science technicians, no less. This is because this state ranked second-highest on employment rates for forensic science technicians. More jobs always mean better state for job-hunting, don’t you agree?

19. Washington

Annual median wage: $62,470

Cost of living: 107.1

Employment: 300

Up next in our list of best states for forensic science technicians is Washington that seems to always have great deals when it comes to employment opportunities, regardless of occupation. For forensic science technicians, they have wages that are higher than the national average and employment rates better than most places in the US. This just shows how stable their economy is. Their cost of living might be a bit higher than the average, but if you compare it to other states offering the same wages, it still comes cheaper.

18. Wyoming

Annual median wage: $66,440

Cost of living: 91.7

Employment: 40

If Wyoming, the next one on our list of best states for forensic science technicians had higher employment rates than the one it currently has, it would have ranked higher than this. They have quite a great balance between wages and expenses, at least in terms of forensic science technicians. They even ranked sixth-highest when it comes to wages, which is a rare statistic for Wyoming because it is popular for being an affordable state.

17. Colorado

Annual median wage: $58,810

Cost of living: 102.1

Employment: 340

Colorado’s wages are near the national average, which is a good thing, considering their cost of living rates which are a little higher than the average but still not very expensive. What’s even better about this state is how high their employment rates are for forensic science technicians. That shows that looking for a job in Colorado would not be as hard as in other states, which frankly is just as important as high wages.

16. New York

Annual median wage: $66,150

Cost of living: 135.2

Employment: 710

New York, the number 16 in our list of best states for forensic science technicians is known all over the world as an expensive place. Everything seems to cost an arm and a leg or at least the weight of a dead subway rat in those items. Despite their ridiculously expensive cost of living rates, people still flock there to look for a job. What attracts people to the state is their high employment rates for all sorts of jobs, especially for professionals. They have wages higher than the average, though you may consider foregoing luxuries to make sure you afford a decent living in the state.

15. Iowa

Annual median wage: $59,360

Cost of living: 91.7

Employment: 100

We all have heard of how cheap everything is in Iowa–it may be the only thing you have heard about Iowa in your whole life. With a cost of living that is this low, it is easy to think that anyone can sustain a decent living and rent a good home there no matter how low the wage is. Luckily for forensic science technicians, Iowa offers wages that even make it past the national average. The employment rates they have might not look impressive to you, but don’t let that stop you from trying to go and try yourself.

14. Nevada

Annual median wage: $72,240

Cost of living: 104.5

Employment: 220

Up next in our list of best states for forensic science technicians is Nevada that offers the third-highest wages for forensic science technicians, at least in the US. They also have really good employment rates for these professionals, all the more attracting them to move to Nevada and try their luck in finding a job there. The cost of living rates sure are higher than the national average, but still not as expensive as other neighboring states, like California for example. Why should you let that bother you?

13. Tennessee

Annual median wage: $42,360

Cost of living: 89.8

Employment: 370

Higher employment rates and lower cost of living rates could be thanked as to why Tennessee made it this far on the list of best states for forensic science technicians. It has always been known as one of America’s cheapest states to live in, probably because of all the homophobia, I mean, great country music venues! It is also among families’ best bets because of the low cost of living expenses. It’s so cheap even wages way below the average would feel so much more when you live in Tennessee. They have tons of jobs available as well.

12. Kansas

Annual median wage: $44,380

Cost of living: 90.4

Employment: 350

Kansas’ wages for forensic science technicians might be so high, but is still can be enough to give you a good life in this state. Their cost of living is 10% lower than the average in America, so low you’ll feel like you’ve been given discounts with your every purchase. The employment rates they have for these professionals are even higher than most states in the US. Let’s hear it for Kansas, a state and band!

11. Mississippi

Annual median wage: $51,630

Cost of living: 86

Employment: 110

We are continuing our list of best states for forensic science technicians with Mississippi that is the cheapest state in America, in case you still don’t know by now. Apartment rates, food, and basic utilities and services are basically cheaper in Mississippi than anywhere in the US, making it one of your best bets if you’re looking for a place where it is easy to get a job and living expenses wouldn’t slash your wages as much. They have wages below the average, but with living expenses this cheap, what need do you have for higher salaries? You’d just save up and move to a state that was easier to spell.

10. Missouri

Annual median wage: $50,770

Cost of living: 90.8

Employment: 240

Like Mississippi, Missouri’s wages do not meet the national average for forensic science technicians. Even so, it does not make the state a lousy one for these professionals, or anyone for that matter. The cheap living expenses they are known for never fails to attract people of moving there and get a job there. There are no job shortages and wages can very well sustain a decent life there, so what else could you look for? Exactly. That’s why Missouri is in the 10th place of our list of best states for forensic science technicians.

9. Arizona

Annual median wage: $52,830

Cost of living: 98.1

Employment: 790

Ranking fourth in terms of employment rates for forensic science technicians, no wonder more and more professionals choose to live in Arizona, the number 9 in our list of best states for forensic science technicians, rather than other states. They have cost of living rates a little lower than the average, so it does not hurt to pay bills as much as in more expensive places in the country. Their wages might not be so much, but with tons of jobs available, you can most probably have options to choose from.

8. Ohio

Annual median wage: $57,850

Cost of living: 93

Employment: 330

Up next on our list of best states for forensic science technicians is Ohio that is one of the most affordable places in the country. Not only does it have ideal living expenses, it also boasts of high employment rates which equate to so many jobs available for forensic science technicians. The wages they offer to their workers do not always make it past the average, but when you live in a place that would not take so much from what you earn in the form of bills to pay, average wages can even be more than enough.

7. California

Annual median wage: $77,270

Cost of living: 134.8

Employment: 2,270

California ranks 7th in our list of best states for forensic science technicians. It topped the rankings of wages and employment rates for forensic science technicians. The state has always been popular for having a consistent demand for workers and professionals, thanks to their stable economy and business developments. If living there didn’t cost as much as it does, California would have most definitely ranked higher than this. O.C. you later.

6. Texas

Annual median wage: $45,330

Cost of living: 90.7

Employment: 910

Texas ranks 6th in our list of best states for forensic science technicians. It might be a little behind most states when it comes to the wages they pay their professionals, and their tolerance, but it sure comes way ahead of most states in terms of cost of living and employment rates. The recent years have been great for Texas as more job opportunities have been created, resulting in a rapidly growing population. Ranking third-highest in terms of employment rates for forensic science technicians, no wonder Texas is one of the best states for them.

5. Virginia

Annual median wage: $65,330

Cost of living: 100.2

Employment: 650

Virginia’s wages for forensic science technicians prove to be higher than the average. As if that isn’t enough to attract them and other professionals to move in Virginia and look for a job there, they also have really good employment rates for them. What’s even better is that the state’s living expenses are just right–not too cheap but fortunately not too expensive as well.

4. Oklahoma

Annual median wage: $61,370

Cost of living: 88.6

Employment: 190

Known as one of America’s cheapest states to live in and also one of the ideal places to raise a family, Oklahoma doesn’t surprise anyone when it comes to its low living expenses. What could actually come as a surprise is the high salary rates the state has for forensic science technicians. Affordable cities usually meant meager wages, but not with this one. The employment rates do not disappoint either.

3. Illinois

Annual median wage: $65,950

Cost of living: 95.5

Employment: 590

Definitely not skimping in both employment rates and salaries for forensic science technicians, would you not agree that Illinois is such an amazing state to be a professional? What makes the state even better is how low their living expenses are. No more worrying about bills to pay when you actually earn better than the average and have daily living expenses that wouldn’t hurt your pocket that much.

2. Michigan

Annual median wage: $64,150

Cost of living: 88.2

Employment: 230

Michigan is America’s third most affordable state, which explains people’s desire of living there and if lucky enough, getting a job there as well. If you are a forensic science technician, you are in luck. Judging from their employment rates, you’ll have no problem looking for the job for you. They also pay these professionals with wages that are even higher than the national average. And now, let’s see the number one on the list of best states for forensic science technicians, shall we?

1. Indiana

Annual median wage: $60,350

Cost of living: 87.9

Employment: 280

Living in the country’s second-cheapest states sure has its perks–cheaper rent, cheaper food, perhaps cheaper everything. Frankly speaking, even the smallest wages could most definitely sustain a living, a decent one at that, in Indiana. But forensic science technicians are fortunate to be paid with wages even higher than the national average. There are even so many jobs available.

Being forensic science technicians is not easy. The job can be demanding, disgusting, and the pressures of the job could really get to you. Living in a state that pays well, have cheap living expenses and many jobs to have might be enough to destress you when the job gets tough. Make the most of your job by picking one of the best states for forensic science technicians.