Sources: New Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification, New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
New Mexico state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective July 4, 2026. These are the ranges New Mexico sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Forensic Technician Class F4092B Grade C3 | $38,885 – $58,327 a year |
| Evidence Technician Class M50550 Grade C5 | $47,050 – $70,575 a year |
| Forensic Scientist Class F4092O Grade C7 | $56,931 – $85,396 a year |
| Senior Forensic Scientist Class F4092A Grade C8 | $62,624 – $93,936 a year |
| Lead Forensic Scientist Class PSFO25 Grade C11 | $83,790 – $134,063 a year |
Schedule: FY27 Classified Service Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026). 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 Mexico State Personnel Office (SPO), Compensation and Classification, New Mexico Classified Service — FY27 Salary Schedule (effective 7/4/2026) and Classification and Pay Listing (effective 7/30/2026). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in New Mexico, all employers Sourced
Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092) in New Mexico, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | NM |
|---|---|
| Workers | 200 |
| 10th percentile | $47,120 |
| Median | $65,570 |
| 90th percentile | $103,270 |
| 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 Mexico
74 police departments in New Mexico.
32 sheriff's offices in New Mexico.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for New Mexico
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.