Sources: South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources, South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
South Carolina state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first. These are the ranges South Carolina sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Forensic Technician I Class JA45 · class description Grade GEN06 | $37,944 – $60,690 a year |
| Forensic Technician II Class JA50 · class description Grade GEN07 | $40,086 – $68,136 a year |
| Forensic Technician III Class JA55 · class description Grade GEN08 | $46,206 – $78,540 a year |
Schedule: General Pay Structure (GEN). Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: South Carolina Department of Administration, Division of State Human Resources, South Carolina Classified Pay Structure and State Job Classifications. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in South Carolina, all employers Sourced
Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092) in South Carolina, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | SC |
|---|---|
| Workers | 160 |
| 10th percentile | $39,990 |
| Median | $51,830 |
| 90th percentile | $73,490 |
| 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 South Carolina
184 police departments in South Carolina.
47 sheriff's offices in South Carolina.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for South 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.