Sources: Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM), Virginia Classified Salary Structure and Career Group Role Descriptions; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Virginia state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective July 25, 2026. These are the ranges Virginia sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Forensic Scientist III Class 69134 · class description Grade 6 · Classified Salary Structure: Virginia Statewide Pay Area (SW) Pay Bands | $78,063 – $195,693 a year |
Grade 6 · Classified Salary Structure: Northern Virginia Pay Area (FP) Expanded Range Pay Bands | $78,063 – $251,443 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: Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM), Virginia Classified Salary Structure and Career Group Role Descriptions. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in Virginia, all employers Sourced
Forensic Science Technicians (SOC 19-4092) in Virginia, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | VA |
|---|---|
| Workers | 770 |
| 10th percentile | $49,390 |
| Median | $68,900 |
| 90th percentile | $125,740 |
| 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 Virginia
154 police departments in Virginia.
86 sheriff's offices in Virginia.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for Virginia
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.