How Much Do Criminalist Make?
How much do criminalist make? Discover the average salary, base salary, and compensation for criminalist in the law, legal & compliance category. Learn about criminalist pay per hour, per week, per month, and per annum with detailed salary ranges from $50,000 to $70,000.
How Much Do Criminalist Make? Complete Salary Guide
How much do criminalist make? This is one of the most common questions in career planning. Criminalist in the Law, Legal & Compliance field can expect to earn an average salary of $85,000 per year, with entry-level positions starting at $50,000 and experienced professionals earning up to $70,000 annually.
When breaking down the average salary of criminalist by time periods, criminalist typically make around $7,083.333 per month and approximately $1,634.615 per week. The basic salary of criminalist varies significantly based on experience level, location, and industry specialization. Entry-level criminalist typically start with a base salary of $50,000, while mid-career professionals earn an average of $70,000, and senior-level roles can command salaries exceeding $70,000.
The salary landscape for criminalist is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, educational background, and specific industry demands. How much do criminalist make in a week? On average, this translates to approximately $1,634.615 per week. How much do criminalist make per annum? The annual salary range spans from $45,000 to $90,000, with the median salary sitting at $85,000. Additionally, many criminalist receive bonuses averaging $5,000 annually, representing approximately 10.25% of their base salary.
How Much Do Criminalist Get Paid Per Annum? Criminalist Salary
Annual salary data for criminalist across different experience levels, showing entry-level, mid-career, and experienced professional compensation ranges based on industry standards.
Entry Level Annual Salary
Mid-Career Annual Salary
Experienced Annual Salary
How Much Do Criminalist Get Paid in a Month? Criminalist Monthly Salary
Monthly salary breakdowns for criminalist at different career stages, providing practical budgeting insights and compensation expectations for financial planning.
Entry Level Monthly Salary
Mid-Career Monthly Salary
Experienced Monthly Salary
How Much Do Criminalist Get Paid in Different Locations?
Geographic salary variations for criminalist across different cities and regions, including cost of living adjustments and regional market demand factors that impact compensation.
Criminalist Salary Trends
Historical salary progression for criminalist over the past years, showing year-over-year compensation growth and market trends in the industry.
Criminalist Salary Trends (2020 - 2025)
Bonus & Compensation Package
Additional compensation beyond base salary, including bonuses, commissions, and overtime opportunities that contribute to total annual earnings.
Bonus Percentage
of annual salary
Bonuses for criminalists are typically awarded based on performance, case resolution success, and contributions to investigations or departmental goals.
Average Bonus
annually
Commission
A Criminalist role generally does not offer commission or incentive opportunities, as it focuses on scientific analysis and evidence evaluation rather than sales or performance metrics.
Overtime
Overtime pay is common for criminalists, especially during investigations or urgent case analyses, as workloads can fluctuate significantly based on case demands.
Employee Benefits Package
Comprehensive benefits and perks provided to employees, including health coverage, retirement plans, time off policies, and professional development opportunities.
Comprehensive Benefits
Typical benefits for a Criminalist include health insurance, retirement plans like 401(k), paid time off (PTO), professional development opportunities, and sometimes flexible work schedules.
Criminalist Job Overview
Comprehensive details about the criminalist role including daily responsibilities, work environment, physical demands, and key tasks that define this career path.
About This Role
A criminalist specializes in analyzing physical evidence from crime scenes, employing scientific techniques to identify and interpret data. They play a crucial role in solving crimes by providing expert testimony, collaborating with law enforcement, and ensuring justice through meticulous examination of forensic materials like fingerprints, DNA, and trace evidence.
Primary Responsibilities
Collecting and analyzing physical evidence, conducting laboratory tests, documenting findings, preparing reports, testifying in court, maintaining chain of custody, collaborating with law enforcement, ensuring quality control of evidence analysis, staying updated on forensic techniques, adhering to legal and ethical standards.
Day-to-Day Tasks
A criminalist analyzes crime scene evidence, conducts laboratory tests, documents findings, collaborates with law enforcement, prepares reports, and testifies in court to support investigations and ensure justice.
Work Environment
Hybrid
Criminalists typically work in laboratories or crime scenes, analyzing evidence under strict protocols, often collaborating with law enforcement agencies.
Physical Demands
Moderate
Criminalists must have strong attention to detail, manual dexterity for lab work, and the ability to work in varied environments, including crime scenes and laboratories.
Criminalist Requirements & Prerequisites
Essential qualifications and credentials needed to pursue a career as a criminalist, including educational background, certifications, and experience requirements.
Education
Bachelor’s degree.
Field: Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, Forensic Psychology, Anthropology, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Law Enforcement Administration, Evidence Technology.
Experience
4 years
Employers seek candidates with analytical skills, attention to detail, proficiency in forensic techniques, experience in evidence collection and analysis, strong communication abilities, and a solid understanding of criminal law.
Certifications
Bachelor's degree in forensic science or related field, Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) certification, American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) certification, Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC), International Association for Identification (IAI) certification, DNA Analyst certification, Firearms Examiner certification, Toxicology certification.
Required Skills
Analytical thinking, attention to detail, problem-solving, communication skills, technical proficiency, knowledge of forensic science, critical thinking, teamwork.
Technical Skills
Soft Skills
Criminalist Career Path
Professional progression opportunities for criminalist from entry-level to senior management, including typical career advancement timeline and role evolution.
Entry Level
Forensic Technician, Crime Scene Investigator, Evidence Technician
Early-career criminalists analyze physical evidence from crime scenes, perform laboratory tests, document findings, and collaborate with law enforcement to support investigations and prosecutions.
Mid-Career
Forensic Technician, Crime Scene Investigator, Forensic Scientist
Mid-career Criminalists analyze evidence, conduct investigations, collaborate with law enforcement, prepare reports, testify in court, and mentor junior staff to ensure accurate forensic outcomes.
Senior Management
Forensic Laboratory Director, Senior Crime Scene Investigator, Criminalistics Program Manager
Senior or management-level criminalists oversee forensic investigations, manage teams, ensure quality control, develop protocols, analyze complex evidence, and collaborate with law enforcement and legal entities.
Career Progression Timeline
Timeline: 10 years
Criminalists typically start as entry-level forensic technicians, advancing to specialized roles like forensic analyst or crime lab supervisor, with opportunities for leadership and expert consultancy.
Criminalist Industry & Growth
Market outlook and growth prospects for criminalist, including industry trends, job market demand, and factors influencing career opportunities and advancement.
Job Outlook
Faster than average
Projected: 2024–2034
Industry Trends
Increased reliance on technology and digital forensics, growing demand for cybersecurity expertise, heightened focus on data analysis and crime mapping techniques.
Growth Factors
Rising crime rates, advancements in forensic technology, increased focus on public safety, and growing legal complexities drive demand for criminalists.
Future Opportunities
Cybercrime investigation, digital forensics, artificial intelligence in crime analysis, blockchain for evidence tracking, and virtual reality crime scene reconstruction are emerging opportunities for criminalists.
Criminalist Related Professions
Alternative career paths and similar roles for criminalist, including career transitions, related positions, and advancement opportunities within the field.
Similar Roles
Career Alternatives
Upgrade Paths
Related Entry Roles
Criminalist Skills & Development
Essential skills and professional development resources for criminalist, including technical abilities, soft skills, recommended courses, and ongoing learning opportunities.
Technical Skills
Soft Skills Needed
Recommended Certifications
Recommended Courses
Development Resources
Training Timeline
Estimated training time
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminalist Salary
Common questions and answers about pursuing a career as a criminalist, covering qualifications, salary expectations, career prospects, and practical career guidance.
What qualifications are needed to become a criminalist?
A bachelor’s degree in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or a related field is typically required.
What is the average salary of a criminalist?
The average salary ranges from $50,000 to $80,000 annually, depending on experience and location.
What skills are essential for a career in criminalistics?
Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in scientific techniques are essential.
Is certification necessary for criminalists?
While not always required, certification can enhance job prospects and credibility in the field.
What kind of work environments do criminalists typically work in?
Criminalists often work in crime labs, law enforcement agencies, or government institutions.
How Much Others Make?
Explore salary data for other professions to compare compensation across different career paths and industries.