Due to a number of TV shows that follow the work of forensic scientists, such as CSI, a lot of people are now interested in forensic science. This one is growing and it is proven by more people enrolling in university courses. As it essentially involves applying scientific methods to criminal or civil law, it is a very open field that has tons of career opportunities.
If you are interested in working in forensic science, you may want to consider the list below:
Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Forensic Science
1. Forensic Pathologist
Salary:
- Low range: $67,000 per year
- Middle range: $103,062 per year
- High range: $295,000 per year
Responsibilities:
- Determining the cause of death with their ability
Required degrees and skills:
Forensic pathologists require a high degree of expertise in forensic pathology and a great understanding of the law because they are usually called to give testimony in court cases where their work could be used as evidence. For this job, the medical degree and forensic pathology training is the best preparation.
Way to get this job:
If you want to be a forensic pathologist, you must complete an undergraduate degree and then be followed by medical school. After you are done with medical school, you need to complete a residency program before becoming board certified in pathology.
2. Forensic Engineer
Salary:
- Low range: $63,771 per year
- Middle range: $88,597 per year
- High range: $116,476 per year
Responsibilities:
- Investigating and analyzing the causes of accidents
- Determining what happened in an accident by teaming up with other forensic specialists, such as accident reconstructions and helping prevent others from happening
Required degrees and skills:
Usually, forensic engineers have a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Then, they have to complete a master’s degree program in forensic engineering. In some cases, they may also have to pass a licensing exam before being allowed to work as a forensic engineer.
Way to get this job:
The most recommended way to be a forensic engineer is to complete a graduate program in forensic engineering. Remember that a bachelor’s degree in engineering is not enough. If you want to get this job, make sure to earn a master’s degree to be competitive in this career.
3. Computer Forensics Analyst
Salary:
- Low range: $49,000 per year
- Middle range: $82,427 per year
- High range: $138,000 per year
Responsibilities:
- Recovering data from computers and other evidence damaged, destroyed, or otherwise compromised
- Helping law enforcement agencies to locate cybercrime evidence
Required degrees and skills:
In most cases, computer forensic analysts have at least an associate’s degree in computer science or cyber security. However, a bachelor’s degree is better for a lot of entry-level positions. To qualify for higher-paying jobs, a master’s degree may be helpful.
Way to get this job:
First of all, you should get the right training and education. You can try to complete a certificate or college degree program in computer science or cyber security.
4. Forensic Medical Examiner
Salary:
- Low range: $14,017 per year
- Middle range: $67,329 per year
- High range: $423,717 per year
Responsibilities:
- Conducting autopsies and death investigations
- Determining the cause of death
- Looking at all available evidence, such as autopsy results and clinical data from living people
- Identifying human remains by using dental records or DNA analysis
Required degrees and skills:
Typically, forensic medical examiners have a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Besides, some of them also have a specialty in forensic pathology, even though they can also be general practitioners.
Way to get this job:
One of the best ways to be a forensic medical examiner is to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and become a board-certified forensic medical examiner. Make sure to complete medical school, an internship, and a residency in pathology. After that, you should take an exam to become board-certified. When it is done, you can apply for jobs as a forensic pathologist. However, it is also possible for you to get this job with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree.
5. Forensic Accountant
Salary:
- Low range: $44,000 per year
- Middle range: $66,833 per year
- High range: $100,000 per year
Responsibilities:
- Detecting fraud and other crime scenes
- Helping law enforcement officials, regulatory agencies, internal auditors, and lawyers in concluding whether one has committed a crime
Required degrees and skills:
A forensic accountant requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an advanced degree in forensic accounting. It also requires a strong understanding of business and finance to interpret financial records and identify suspicious activity. In addition, the skills to communicate the findings effectively with clients are also required.
Way to get this job:
If you want to get this job, firstly, get a degree in accounting or finance. Aside from that, you can also get some work experience as an accountant or financial analyst. If you want, you can also consider attending law enforcement or criminal justice training programs.
6. Crime Laboratory Analyst
Salary:
- Low range: $31,998 per year
- Middle range: $61,217 per year
- High range: $73,355 per year
Responsibilities:
- Performing various functions in law enforcement agencies, such as chemical analysis and DNA testing
- Examining biological evidence, such as blood or semen stains
- Analyzing trace evidence such as hair or fibers found at a crime scene
- Processing drug samples from crime labs
Required degrees and skills:
A crime laboratory analyst has no set training route. However, it is better for you to get a degree in forensic science, criminal justice, chemistry, or biology. Apart from that, you will also need further training as a crime laboratory analyst, including a certification program and on-the-job training.
Way to get this job:
The steps to get this job include earning a degree in forensic science, criminal justice, or chemistry; applying for a position as a crime laboratory analyst with the government or a law enforcement agency; and completing an on-the-job training and certification program.
7. Latent Print Examiner
Salary:
- Low range: $38,000 per year
- Middle range: $55,825 per year
- High range: $83,000 per year
Responsibilities:
- Identifying fingerprints and palm prints at crème scenes
- Identifying the one who left the print
- Determining when and where the print was left by that person
- Going to a court to give testimony as an expert witness
Required degrees and skills:
The job of being a latent print examiner requires at least a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or a closely related field. Sometimes, it is also required to have at least two years of experience working with fingerprint evidence. Not only education and experience, but the ability to work well in a team.
Way to get this job:
The best way to get this job is to get a bachelor’s degree in forensic science or criminal justice. After that, take courses from the International Association for Identification or IAI to get certified as a fingerprint examiner. When everything is done, try to get a job as an examiner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI or another law enforcement agency.
8. Crime Scene Investigator
Salary:
- Low range: $38,000 per year
- Middle range: $49,277 per year
- High range: $81,000 per year
Responsibilities:
- Gathering evidence at crime scenes (looking for fingerprints and other clues that can help identify suspects)
Required degrees and skills:
Being a crime scene investigator requires at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, forensic science, or a related field. Besides, it also requires the skill to handle stressful situations and work long hours.
Way to get this job:
In order to get this job, one has to take criminal justice and forensic courses. Afterward, they have to get experience working with crime scene investigators. Feel free to volunteer with local law enforcement agencies or become an intern at a crime lab.
9. Evidence Technician
Salary:
- Low range: $11,000 per year
- Middle range: $47,205 per year
- High range: $73,000 per year
Responsibilities:
- Collecting, preserving, and analyzing physical evidence from crime scenes
- Documenting the scene of a crime, photographing it, collecting fingerprints or DNA samples, processing any blood or other bodily fluids found there, and conducting tests on any drugs that have been recovered
Required degrees and skills:
While many evidence technicians only have a high school diploma, a lot of them also have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or forensic science. Usually, employers search for ones who have experience in criminal investigations and a background in law enforcement.
Way to get this job:
To be an evidence technician, the best way is to get training from a local police department, which may include courses in forensic science, crime scene investigation, and evidence collection. Aside from that, it is also possible to get a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or forensic science and find work at a crime lab.
10. Fingerprint Technician
Salary:
- Low range: $28,000 per year
- Middle range: $38,231 per year
- High range: $53,000 per year
Responsibilities:
- Collecting and analyzing fingerprints at crime scenes, police departments, and other law enforcement agencies
- Providing fingerprint analysis for criminal investigations
Required degrees and skills:
A high school diploma is required for this job. In addition, some training in fingerprint identification is also required.
Way to get this job:
If you want to be a fingerprint technician, you should go through training and certification. First of all, enroll in a certificate program that prepares students for careers in fingerprint identification. Then, look for positions with government and law enforcement agencies. There are a number of private companies that provide fingerprint identification services.
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