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Forensic Audio Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Forensic Audio information

See Arizona salary details

$23.8K

$57K

$88.1K

How much do forensic audio jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic audio in Arizona is $56,990.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $50,300.00 and $64,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying forensic job?

The highest paying forensic jobs are often senior roles such as forensic laboratory directors or forensic science managers, who oversee investigations and laboratory operations. These positions typically require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and certifications, and can earn six-figure salaries depending on the organization and location.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic audio analysts when working with degraded or low-quality recordings?

Forensic audio analysts often encounter challenges such as background noise, overlapping voices, or poor recording quality, which can make it difficult to isolate and clarify key sounds or speech. They use specialized software and techniques to enhance audio, but there are limits to how much a recording can be improved without introducing artifacts or altering the original content. Effective communication with legal teams about what is possible and the limitations of audio evidence is essential for success in this role.

How to get into audio forensics?

To pursue a career in forensic audio, individuals typically need a background in audio engineering, criminal justice, or forensic science, along with strong skills in audio editing and analysis software such as Pro Tools or Adobe Audition. Gaining experience through internships, certifications like the Certified Forensic Audio Specialist (CFAS), and understanding legal procedures can improve job prospects in this specialized field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Forensic Audio Analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Audio Analyst, you need a strong background in audio engineering, acoustics, and digital signal processing, often supported by a relevant degree in audio technology or forensic science. Familiarity with specialized audio analysis tools such as Adobe Audition, iZotope RX, and forensic software like Cedar or Amped FIVE is typically required, along with relevant certifications. Keen attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are important soft skills for analyzing complex audio evidence and presenting findings. These skills ensure accurate, reliable analysis and clear expert testimony, which are crucial for supporting legal investigations and proceedings.

What is forensic audio analysis?

Forensic audio analysis is the scientific examination, evaluation, and interpretation of audio recordings to aid investigations or legal proceedings. Specialists in this field use advanced techniques to enhance audio quality, authenticate recordings, identify speakers, and clarify speech or sounds. Their work is crucial in criminal cases, civil disputes, and other legal matters where audio evidence is presented. Forensic audio experts often testify in court to explain their findings and methodologies.

What Are Forensic Audio Jobs?

The leading roles in forensic audio include forensic expert and analyst. As an analyst, you utilize the scientific process during an investigation to help make recordings usable in a court case. Your duties are to analyze audio evidence for authenticity, often refuting or pinpointing a crime. As an expert in the field, your responsibilities are to work with analysts to improve the intelligibility of audio speech and the audibility of quiet sounds. You might transcribe audio, identify the devices used to make the recording, or make an analysis of sonic evidence to reconstruct a crime. In both roles, you examine audio in criminal justice trials and work with law enforcement to define or uncover evidence.

What is audio forensics?

Audio forensics is a specialized field within forensic science that involves analyzing audio recordings to authenticate, enhance, or interpret sound evidence. Forensic audio analysts use tools like spectral analysis and noise reduction to clarify recordings and identify details relevant to investigations.

What is a forensic audio specialist?

A forensic audio specialist is a professional who analyzes and enhances audio recordings for legal investigations and court cases. They use specialized software and techniques to improve sound clarity, remove noise, and authenticate recordings, often working closely with law enforcement and legal teams.

What is the difference between Forensic Audio vs Forensic Audio Technician?

AspectForensic AudioForensic Audio Technician
CredentialsOften requires specialized training in audio analysis and certifications like IAI or ASQ certificationsTypically holds audio engineering or forensic audio certifications, with some overlap
Work EnvironmentPrimarily in labs, courtrooms, or crime scenes involving audio evidenceIn labs or field settings, handling audio recordings and equipment
Industry UsageUsed by law enforcement, legal professionals, and forensic labsEmployed by forensic labs, law enforcement, and audio forensic firms

Forensic Audio focuses on analyzing and interpreting audio evidence for legal cases, often requiring advanced certifications. Forensic Audio Technicians handle the technical aspects of audio evidence collection and processing. While their roles overlap, Forensic Audio specialists typically have more advanced analytical training, whereas technicians focus on equipment and recording tasks.

What job categories do people searching Forensic Audio jobs in Arizona look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Audio jobs in Arizona are:
Infographic showing various Forensic Audio job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,990 per year, or $27.4 per hour.
Digital Forensics Senior Examiner

Digital Forensics Senior Examiner

City of Chandler, AZ

Chandler, AZ • On-site

$75K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


City Of Chandler (Arizona) rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

84th of 705 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Salary: $75,296.00 - $109,137.60 Annually
Location : 175 S. Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ
Job Type: Full-time, Regular
Job Number: 2600452
Department: Police
Division: 2021-POLICE FORENSIC SERVICES
Opening Date: 07/13/2026
Closing Date: 7/27/2026 11:59 PM Arizona
FLSA: Exempt
Job Announcement
The City of Chandler Police Department, Forensic Services Section is currently seeking qualified individuals interested in joining our team as a Digital Forensic Senior Examiner. This is a regular full-time, salaried, exempt position with benefits. The work schedule for this position may be a 4/10, 5/8, or 9/80 schedule, which may include on-call and weekend and nighttime callouts outside of normal work hours. The position is subject to a one (1) year probationary period.
Why work for Chandler?
  • Diverse and inclusive environment
  • Up to 8 hours paid time off annually to volunteer in the community
  • Dress code is business casual
  • 3 medical plans to choose from along with dental and vision coverage
  • Accrue 122 hours paid vacation in your first year, eligible for use immediately following accrual
  • Accrue 96 hours paid sick leave in your first year, eligible for use immediately following accrual
  • 12 paid holidays per year, plus Winter Break at the end of the year
  • Become part of the Arizona State Retirement System with a 100% city contribution match
  • City contributions of 1% gross wages per pay period to deferred compensation upon employee contribution
  • Robust Employee Wellness program with $350 incentive
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 annually
  • Free Tumbleweed Recreation Center membership

Who we are
The City of Chandler Police Department, consisting of 348 sworn officers and 192 civilians, serves a growing population of approximately 290,000 residents. The organization is divided into three main divisions, one bureau, and many sections/units. The Patrol Operations Division three precincts, 1) Main Station - Downtown & North Chandler, 2) Desert Breeze - West Chandler, and 3) Chandler Heights - South Chandler, work in concert with the Criminal Investigations Bureau, Operational Support Bureau, and Professional Services Division to meet the needs of the community. The members of the Chandler Police Department are dedicated to the advancement of community policing and the development of a partnership with our citizens. Our mission is, "To maintain a safe, vibrant community through meaningful engagement and continuous organizational improvement." We are committed to being a world-class leader in law enforcement. We will pursue and engage the best trained, equipped, and committed professionals who demonstrate the highest standards of performance and best policing practices in partnership with the community.
Who we are looking for
Our ideal candidate will have a passion for customer service, teamwork, and collaboration. We are looking for an individual who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment. You will be required to perform investigative duties to support the Police Department within the Forensic Services Section through forensic collection, recovery, processing, preservation, analysis, storage, maintenance, and/or presentation of digital evidence. The successful candidate must be able to do the following:
  • Applies criminal justice and legal protocols, follows all related agency policies and exercises technical expertise in conducting forensic examinations on items of evidence that may contain or conceal digital evidence, including child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
  • Assists sworn officers with identifying, collecting, recovering, processing, preserving, and maintaining the integrity of digital and multimedia evidence using industry standards and tools.
  • Assists with maintaining and monitoring the forensic server and digital forensic network.
  • Accurately document their work in notes and written reports, participate in defense interviews, and testify in court as a witness in criminal trials.
  • Attend job-related training; training may be held in-house, in state, or out of state, may span a week or more in length, and may necessitate travel.

To view the complete job description, please
When Assigned to the Chandler Police Department
Our ideal candidate is a skilled digital forensic examiner who can perform independent analyses within a laboratory setting, under the supervision of a Forensic Scientist Supervisor. In this key investigative role, you should demonstrate the ability to handle complex analyses while effectively managing additional responsibilities.
Minimum qualifications
  • Must possess a Bachelor's degree in computer science or related field and
  • Must possess at least 2-years of experience in computer forensics, mobile forensics, forensic audio/video analysis, or related discipline and
  • Must obtain and maintain Arizona DPS Terminal Operator Certification Level A within six (6) months of hire and
  • Must possess a valid Driver License with acceptable driving record and,
  • Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.

Desired qualifications
  • Completion of the Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE) through IACIS or an equivalent certification.

Supervision
Work is performed under the supervision of a division supervisor or manager. This position does not supervise others.
Application Process
  • NeoGov Application
  • Resume and College Transcript Submission
  • Preliminary Background Questionnaire Submittal & Review
  • Spark Hire Virtual Interview (depending on number of applications received)
  • Oral Board Interview
  • Background Investigation
  • Polygraph Examination
  • Psychological Evaluation
  • Interview with Chief of Police

Work Schedule
The work schedule for this position may be a 4/10, 5/8, or 9/80 schedule, which may include on-call and weekend and nighttime callouts outside of normal work hours.
The City of Chandler will conduct a pre-employment background check, polygraph examination, and psychological evaluation as a condition of employment. An offer of employment is contingent upon acceptable results. All applicants hired will be required to be fingerprinted with successful results as a condition of continued employment.
Applicants for employment and volunteer opportunities should be aware of the City of Chandler's policies concerning the use of drugs and alcohol. These policies have not been altered by the passage of Proposition 207. The use of recreational marijuana is a violation of the city's Drug Free Workplace Policy. Certain positions within the city are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test. A positive result for drugs tested under the policy, including recreational marijuana, may be grounds for withdrawal of an offer of employment or volunteer opportunity. The examination process may vary if determined necessary.
The City of Chandler is committed to Equal Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation.
The City of Chandler offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time and some part-time positions. For more detailed information on the benefits offered, please
01
The Digital Forensic Senior Examiner position requires that you possess at least a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field. Do you currently possess a degree as described above?
  • Yes
  • No

02
If you answered yes to the above question, briefly describe your level of education as indicated above. Be sure to include specific details about your education such as degree type and academic area of study. If you do not have additional education, please describe equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work.
03
The Digital Forensic Senior Examiner position requires that you possess at least 2 years' experience in computer forensics, mobile forensic, forensics audio/video analysis, or a related discipline. Do you currently possess at least 2 years' experience as described above?
  • Yes
  • No

04
If you answered yes to the above, briefly describe your prior work experience in computer forensics, mobile forensics, forensics audio/video analysis, or a related discipline. Be sure to include specific details about this experience including the duration that you performed this work, where you worked, and any relevant work-related experience at an accredited laboratory. If you do not have this experience, write 'N/A' in the space below.
05
The Digital Forensic Senior Examiner position requires that you possess a valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving record. Do you have a valid Driver's License with an acceptable driving record?
  • Yes
  • No

06
The Digital Forensic Senior Examiner position will consider applicants who may possess certifications related to computer forensics, mobile forensics, forensics audio/video analysis, or a related discipline. Do you currently possess certifications as listed above?
  • Yes
  • No

07
If you answered yes to the above, briefly describe your certifications in computer forensics, mobile forensics, forensics audio/video analysis, or a related discipline. Be sure to include specific details about how long ago you earned the certifications and where you received them. If you do not possess any certifications, write 'N/A' in the space below.
Required Question

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