Crime Scene Investigator / Forensic Technician in New Jersey

$79,844 – $148,187

state pay plan range, a year

classes in the state plan

$63,220

median pay in NJ, all employers

workers in NJ (SOC 19-4092)

Sources: New Jersey Civil Service Commission, New Jersey State Title List and FY2027 salary schedules by Employee Relations Group; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.

New Jersey state pay plan Sourced

Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective July 11, 2026. These are the ranges New Jersey sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.

Class and grade	Published rate
Forensic Scientist 1 Class 10915 · class description Grade P25 · ERG P – Professional Unit (CWA): FY2027 salary schedule	$79,844 – $117,228 a year 11 steps Step 1: $79,844 a year Step 2: $83,582 a year Step 3: $87,320 a year Step 4: $91,059 a year Step 5: $94,797 a year Step 6: $98,536 a year Step 7: $102,274 a year Step 8: $106,013 a year Step 9: $109,751 a year Step 10: $113,490 a year Step 11: $117,228 a year
Forensic Scientist 2 Class 01593 · class description Grade P28 · ERG P – Professional Unit (CWA): FY2027 salary schedule	$91,628 – $134,900 a year 11 steps Step 1: $91,628 a year Step 2: $95,955 a year Step 3: $100,283 a year Step 4: $104,610 a year Step 5: $108,937 a year Step 6: $113,264 a year Step 7: $117,592 a year Step 8: $121,919 a year Step 9: $126,246 a year Step 10: $130,573 a year Step 11: $134,900 a year
Forensic Scientist 3 Class 01594 · class description Grade R30 · ERG R – Primary Level Supervisors Unit (CWA): FY2027 salary schedule	$100,498 – $148,187 a year 11 steps Step 1: $100,498 a year Step 2: $105,267 a year Step 3: $110,036 a year Step 4: $114,805 a year Step 5: $119,574 a year Step 6: $124,343 a year Step 7: $129,111 a year Step 8: $133,880 a year Step 9: $138,649 a year Step 10: $143,418 a year Step 11: $148,187 a year

Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).

Source: New Jersey Civil Service Commission, New Jersey State Title List and FY2027 salary schedules by Employee Relations Group. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Pay in New Jersey, all employers Sourced

Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092) in New Jersey, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.

Measure	NJ
Workers	60
10th percentile	$45,550
Median	$63,220
90th percentile	$84,030
National median, government employers	$73,540

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.

Employers in New Jersey

488 police departments in New Jersey.

21 sheriff's offices in New Jersey.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.

Free practice tests for New Jersey

IAI Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI)
Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
IAI Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst (CSCSA)
Practice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep

Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.

More about this job

Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Crime Scene Investigator / Forensic Technician page.