Sources: North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), North Carolina Class Specifications and Graded Salary Schedules (DT, HP, LG, MH, NC, SW); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
North Carolina state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective February 1, 2026. These are the ranges North Carolina sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Evidence Technician Class 32000483 · class description Grade NC06 | $35,596 – $62,294 a year |
| Forensic Scientist I Class 32000081 · class description Grade NC14 | $52,592 – $92,036 a year |
| Forensic Scientist II Class 32000082 · class description Grade NC16 | $57,983 – $101,470 a year |
| Forensic Scientist III Class 32000083 · class description Grade NC18 | $63,927 – $111,871 a year |
Schedule: Salary Schedule NC. Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), North Carolina Class Specifications and Graded Salary Schedules (DT, HP, LG, MH, NC, SW). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in North Carolina, all employers Sourced
Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092) in North Carolina, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | NC |
|---|---|
| Workers | 520 |
| 10th percentile | $45,950 |
| Median | $59,240 |
| 90th percentile | $81,760 |
| 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 North Carolina
338 police departments in North Carolina.
99 sheriff's offices in North Carolina.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for North Carolina
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.