Oregon Labor Market Information System
WIRED Occupation Report Center
WIRED Occupation Report
for Forensic Science Technicians (19-4092) in the Oregon-Washington WIRED Region
Occupational Description Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.
Employment Projections for Forensic Science Technicians in the Oregon-Washington WIRED Region
2008
Employment
2018
Employment

Change
%
Change
Projected
Annual
Growth
Openings
Projected
Annual
Replacement
Openings
Projected
Total
Annual
Openings
169 185 16 9.5% 2 8 9

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Wages (All Industries, 2010) for Forensic Science Technicians in the Oregon-Washington WIRED Region
10th
Percentile
Wage
25th
Percentile
Wage
50th
Percentile
Wage
75th
Percentile
Wage
90th
Percentile
Wage
Avg
Hourly
Wage
Avg
Annual
Wage
$16.63 $21.46 $27.83 $32.94 $36.69 $26.87 $55,888
Data Sources and Limitations
State of Oregon License Information for Forensic Science Technicians
License
Polygraph Examiner - Trainee
Polygraph Examiner - General


Current Job Openings for Forensic Science Technicians in the Oregon Portion of the WIRED Region There are no openings for this occupation in the WIRED region.


Major Industries of Employment for Forensic Science Technicians in the Oregon-Washington WIRED Region
Industry NAICS Ownership 2008
Employment
Public Administration 92 State 72
Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activi 922 State 72


Educational Requirements for Forensic Science Technicians Workers typically need a Bachelor's degree to enter this occupation. Those with a Master's Degree have a competitive advantage in the labor market. In addition, moderate-term on-the-job training is typically needed, once employed, to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.
Skills for Forensic Science Technicians
  • Analyze Blood Samples
  • Analyze Evidence
  • Apply Basic Chemistry
  • Apply Chemical Laboratory Tests
  • Apply Chemistry Theory
  • Apply Mathematics To Statistical Modeling
  • Apply Quality Assurance Techniques
  • Apply Research Methodology To Science Or Engineering
  • Apply Rules Of Evidence
  • Apply Statistical Methods
  • Conduct Chemical Analyses
  • Conduct Field Research
  • Conduct Investigations And Research
  • Conduct Laboratory Research
  • Conduct Polygraph Examinations
  • Conduct Quantitative Analysis
  • Design Tables Depicting Data
  • Develop And Revise Databases
  • Explain Complex Mathematical Information
  • Follow Hazardous Materials Specifications
  • Follow Safety Procedures
  • Gather Physical Evidence
  • Identify And Analyze Handwriting
  • Identify Fingerprints
  • Identify Firearms And Weapons
  • Interpret Computerized Data And Reports
  • Label And Process Blood Samples
  • Operate Cameras
  • Operate Precision Measuring Devices, Tools And Equipment
  • Prepare Reports In Timely Manner
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Research Work-Related Topics Using Library Resources
  • Understand, Use, And Communicate Technical Information
  • Use Algebra
  • Use Biological Testing Instruments
  • Use Calculus
  • Use Geometry
  • Use Metric System
  • Use Physical Science Research Techniques
  • Work As A Team Member


Schools and Training Providers for Forensic Science Technicians The training providers listed below offer one or more of the following programs:

No providers were found for the above programs of training.


Graduates and Program Completers for training programs related to Forensic Science Technicians No programs of training are associated with this occupation.


Employment Service Job Applicants - January 2011 for Forensic Science Technicians in the Oregon-Washington WIRED Region
Occupation Oregon Job Applicants by Experience Level Washington Applicants
None <1 Year 1-4 Years 5-9 Years 10+ Years
Forensic Science Technicians 86 16 8 2 2 0

Occupational experience is largely self-reported.

Applicants counts include only those registered with the Oregon State Employment Department and the Washington State Employment Security Department. They do not represent all job applicants across the WIRED region.

Applicants in Oregon may be listed under multiple occupational categories, so summing applicant counts across occupational classifications will result in some double-counting.

Source: Oregon Employment Department, Washington State Employment Security Department


Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Forensic Science Technicians matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Environmental Science And Protection Technicians, Including Health 52%
Life, Physical, And Social Science Technicians, All Other 48%
Geological And Petroleum Technicians 39%
Chemical Technicians 39%
Biological Technicians 38%
Agricultural And Food Science Technicians 37%
Life Scientists, All Other 33%
Biochemists And Biophysicists 31%
Microbiologists 30%
The Oregon-Washington WIRED Region consists of Clackamas, Columbia, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties in Oregon, and Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties in Washington.