According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ‘experienced’ criminalists earn annual salaries between $35,000 and $50,000. But it depends on other factors other than experience. Yes, experience plays a major role in anyone’s salary, however, when it comes to criminalists other things factor in such as:
- Employer (federal agencies tend to pay higher on average)
- Location (large cities tend to have higher crime rates, which means more work)
- Education Level, Certification
- Position in Company (supervisor, management positions pay higher)
Criminalists working in the right position for the right agency, with the right education and credentials can earn over $100,000 per year if wanted. Generally, this is rare as these specific criminalist positions are hard to get, especially for new graduates. However, it is something to work towards.
Entry-level criminalists can expect to earn around $40,000 after graduating. And again, it has nothing to do with your brains and skills, and everything to do with where you work and who you work for. Experienced, full-time criminalists who work for places such as law enforcement organizations can also be compensated in the form of benefits packages, which include paid holidays and vacations, overtime pay, health insurance and retirement packages.
Annual Salaries by State
Below is a list of the average median salary, according to the BLS, for each State as of 2009.
Alabama | $53,490 |
Alaska | ** |
Arizona | $53,620 |
Arkansas | $39,280 |
California | $66,690 |
Colorado | $56,080 |
Connecticut | ** |
Delaware | ** |
D.C. | $69,870 |
Florida | $44,910 |
Georgia | $50,980 |
Hawaii | $54,940 |
Idaho | $51,290 |
Illinois | $68,350 |
Indiana | $48,010 |
Iowa | ** |
Kansas | $73,430 |
Kentucky | $41,970 |
Louisiana | $61,570 |
Maine | ** |
Maryland | $59,920 |
Massachusetts | $81,950 |
Michigan | $56,300 |
Minnesota | ** |
Mississippi | ** |
Missouri | $45,210 |
Montana | $53,970 |
Nebraska | $41,090 |
Nevada | ** |
New Hampshire | ** |
New Jersey | $50,390 |
New Mexico | $53,340 |
New York | ** |
North Carolina | $44,030 |
North Dakota | ** |
Ohio | $55,060 |
Oklahoma | $52,030 |
Oregon | $54,560 |
Pennsylvania | ** |
Rhode Island | ** |
South Carolina | $40,600 |
South Dakota | ** |
Tennessee | $45,920 |
Texas | $46,490 |
Utah | $46,090 |
Vermont | ** |
Virginia | $67,860 |
Washington | $53,770 |
West Virginia | ** |
Wisconsin | $79,080 |
Wyoming | ** |
** State did not report an annual salary to the BLS