Forensic Science Technicians vs Chemists
Median pay is about $19k higher for Chemists. Both usually start with the same education: bachelor's.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Forensic Science Technicians | Chemists |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $72,060 | $91,240, higher |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $57,830 | $69,460, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $94,520 | $125,550, higher |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +13% Growing fast, higher | +6.4% Growing fast |
| Openings a year | 2,800 | 5,900 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Bachelor's | Bachelor's |
| Difficulty modeled | 3 / 5 | 2.6 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Moderate | High |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 15th pct | 78th pct |
Where the skills differ
Only Forensic Science Technicians
- Active Learning
Only Chemists
- Science
Both lean on reading comprehension, active listening, writing, speaking, critical thinking.
More comparisons
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.