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Forensic Cleaner Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Forensic Cleaner information

See California salary details

$25.2K

$60.4K

$93.3K

How much do forensic cleaner jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic cleaner in California is $60,355.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,300.00 and $68,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forensic cleaner?

Forensic cleaners are professionals who specialize in cleaning and sanitizing scenes where traumatic incidents have occurred, such as crime scenes, unattended deaths, accidents, or hazardous spills. Their work involves removing biohazards like blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially infectious materials, following strict health and safety protocols. Forensic cleaners use specialized equipment and cleaning agents to ensure that affected areas are thoroughly disinfected and restored to a safe condition. In addition to technical cleaning, they handle sensitive situations with discretion and empathy. This profession requires rigorous training, certification, and a strong commitment to safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic cleaner?

To thrive as a Forensic Cleaner, you need knowledge of cleaning and decontamination procedures, attention to detail, and physical stamina, often supported by a high school diploma and specialized training in biohazard remediation. Familiarity with personal protective equipment (PPE), chemical disinfectants, and adherence to OSHA and EPA regulations is crucial. Strong communication skills, discretion, and resilience are important soft skills for dealing with sensitive situations and client interactions. These skills are vital to ensure safety, legal compliance, and respectful handling of trauma scenes.

What are some common challenges forensic cleaners face on the job, and how are these managed?

Forensic cleaners frequently encounter challenging environments, such as crime scenes or trauma sites, which can be emotionally and physically demanding. Managing biohazards, strong odors, and distressed property owners requires strict adherence to safety protocols, use of specialized cleaning equipment, and strong emotional resilience. Many employers provide comprehensive training, support resources, and personal protective equipment to help staff manage these challenges and ensure both safety and professionalism on the job.

What is the difference between Forensic Cleaner vs Crime Scene Cleaner?

AspectForensic CleanerCrime Scene Cleaner
CertificationsOSHA training, biohazard handling certificationsOSHA training, biohazard handling certifications
Work EnvironmentCrime scenes, hospitals, laboratoriesCrime scenes, accident sites, trauma scenes
Employer & IndustryForensic labs, cleanup companies, law enforcement supportCleanup companies, law enforcement agencies, emergency services
Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Both Forensic Cleaners and Crime Scene Cleaners handle biohazardous materials and require similar certifications. However, Forensic Cleaners often work closely with law enforcement and forensic teams, focusing on cleaning after criminal investigations, while Crime Scene Cleaners primarily handle cleanup at crime or accident scenes. Their work environments overlap but may differ slightly based on the specific scene type and employer focus.

How do you become a forensic cleaner?

To become a forensic cleaner, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and training in biohazard cleanup, which can be obtained through on-the-job training or specialized courses. Certifications in hazardous materials handling and personal protective equipment use are often required, and the job involves working in sensitive and potentially hazardous environments with attention to safety protocols.

How much do forensic cleaner crime scene cleaners make?

Forensic cleaners or crime scene cleaners typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and certifications. The job often requires specialized training, safety equipment, and the ability to handle biohazardous materials in challenging environments.

Is it hard to get into forensic cleaning?

Forensic cleaning is a specialized field that typically requires training in biohazard handling, safety procedures, and sometimes certification. Entry can be competitive, but having relevant skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work in challenging environments can improve chances of getting hired.

What are popular job titles related to Forensic Cleaner jobs in California?

For Forensic Cleaner jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Forensic Cleaner jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Forensic Cleaner jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Forensic Cleaner jobs?

Cities in California with the most Forensic Cleaner job openings:

Forensic Cleaner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Cleaner job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,355 per year, or $29 per hour.

FORENSIC ATTENDANT

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

County of Los Angeles, CA
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

386th of 852 rated public administrative organizations

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students

Learn more about County of Los Angeles, CAexternal

$53K - $68K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 hours ago

Job description

Salary : $53,450.16 - $68,224.32 Annually
Location : Los Angeles County, CA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: P4884A-EA
Department: MEDICAL EXAMINER
Opening Date: 11/08/2024
Position/Program Information
EXAM NUMBER:
P4884A-EA
TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
OPEN COMPETITIVE - EMERGENCY
REPOSTING INFORMATION:
THIS ANNOUCEMENT IS A REPOSTING TO REOPEN THE FILING PERIOD
Original filing date: Monday, July 1, 2024
FIRST DAY OF FILING
TUESDAY, November 12, 2024 8:00AM, Pacific Time (PT)
Applications will be accepted from November 12, 2024, at 8:00am PT and will remain open until the needs of the Department are met.
The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.
The Department of Medical Examiner is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Forensic Attendant vacancies related to the homelessness crisis.
Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.
Before the end of your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.
Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Forensic Attendant.
Essential Job Functions
  • Drives a County vehicle to locations throughout the County to recover and transport bodies, specimens, or records from hospitals, nursing home, or other death scenes to the Medical Examiner's facility.
  • Maintains vehicles in operational condition.
  • Keeps vehicle stocked with gurneys, stretchers, straps, sheets, and necessary supplies.
  • Recovers, lifts, and transports bodies to Department of Medical Examiner or other facilities.
  • Receives and processes bodies into Department of Medical Examiner facilities; places bodies on autopsy tables; prepares bodies for release; and releases bodies subsequent to post mortem examination.
  • Collects and preserves physical and medical evidence.
  • Performs case related data entry to Medical Examiner's computer system; keeps a log on morgue activities; writes receipts for bodies, clothing, personal property, and evidence; fingerprints bodies in accordance with departmental standards.
  • Cleans autopsy room and sterilizes instruments and equipment; delivers soiled linen to laundry; returns clean linen to morgue and storage room.
  • Assist the Medical Examiner Investigators in physical recovery and lifting of decedents bodies, as needed
  • Assist in autopsy procedures, as needed.
  • Perform other related duties, as needed.

Requirements
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from high school or possession of an equivalency diploma -AND- One (1) year of experience in a hospital, morgue or ambulance service moving or transporting patients or decedents.
LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.
Successful applicants for positions that require driving must obtain and present a copy of his/her driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment. Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
  • One year of experience as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professional, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), or Mortuary Removal Specialist.
  • An Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree or higher, preferably in the following areas:
    • Administration of Justice
    • Health / Physical Sciences
    • Nursing
PHYSICAL CLASS:
4 - Arduous. Positions within this class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working on irregular surfaces; and occasionally requires extraordinary physical activity.
APPOINTEE MUST BE WILLING TO:
  • Perform a variety of physically demanding activities, such as frequent lifting and moving of decedents and heavy equipment, climbing down rocky cliffs, carrying a piece of equipment up steep hills, or removing corpses from the ocean.
  • Work ANY shift, including nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
  • Work overtime in order to meet the legal requirements and/or departmental needs associated with death investigations.
  • Drive 75-100 miles one-way using a County vehicle or personal vehicle to various death scenes throughout the County of Los Angeles (mileage reimbursement is provided by the County).
  • Assist in the physical recovery, packaging, lifting, and moving of decedents' bodies including infants, children and bodies that may be fragmented, burned and/or in advanced stages of decomposition.
  • Work in highly stressful situations.
  • Develop and apply effective coping and self-care skills that maintain physical, mental, emotional well-being, a healthy perspective, and a clear and appropriate set of boundaries.
  • Work in death scenes that present a variety of difficult environmental challenges, such as strong odors, extreme temperatures, dilapidated living conditions, and/or rugged terrain.
Candidates selected for appointment will be extended an offer of employment that is conditional upon the results of a background investigation, physical ability test, psychological evaluation, and medical screening. The physical ability test will consist of a body drag, gurney lift and stair climb with weights.
EXAM CONTENT
Before the end of your initial work assignment, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.
Additional Information
APPLICATION & FILING INFORMATION:
Applications must be filed online only.
Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add as well as , and to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the (time & date) deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Department Contact Name: Christian Martinez
Department Contact Phone: (323) 343-0710
Department Contact Email:
Teletype Number: (800) 899-4099
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit:
Testing Accommodations for Applicants:
The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit:
Fair Chance:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).
Employment Eligibility:
Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.
Career PathFinder:
Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at
Veteran's Credit:
Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.
For more information on veteran's credit, please visit:
Revised September 2025
For detailed information, please click
01
This position works directly with individuals experiencing homelessness. I understand and am willing to perform all necessary work duties required for this position.
  • I understand and am willing to perform all necessary work duties required for this position.

02
Do you have a valid California driver license?
  • Yes
  • No, I am an out-of-state applicant and possess a license from another state.
  • No, I do not possess a valid California driver license or out-of-state driver license.

03
Do you have a high school diploma or an equivalent diploma (e.g., General Education Development (GED) certificate)?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Do you have at least one year of experience working in a hospital, morgue, or ambulance service moving or transporting patients or decedents?
  • Yes
  • No

05
Please state if you have one year or

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