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Forensic Lab Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Courts

Forensic Examiner

Saint Louis, MO · On-site +1

$61K - $119K/yr

... technicians. * Conducts the semi-annual inventories on all evidence maintained in the forensic lab. Tracks evidence to determine if the forensic lab needs to maintain it for evidentiary reasons.

Pilot Chemical Co.

Lab Technician

Middletown, OH

$26.50/hr

LAB TECHNICIAN - NIGHT SHIFT, MANUFACTURING Role Summary This role manages and continuously ... Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Zoology, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Sciences ...

Astrix Inc

Lab Technician

Ithaca, NY · On-site

$16 - $18/hr

... forensics, CDMO, and support clinical studies. They are currently looking for a Lab Technician to join their team! This is a great entry-level opportunity for someone looking to get into the life ...

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Forensic Lab Technician information

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How much do forensic lab technician jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for forensic lab technician in the United States is $25.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $27.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Forensic Lab Technician vs Crime Scene Investigator?

AspectForensic Lab TechnicianCrime Scene Investigator
CredentialsForensic science degree, certifications in lab proceduresCriminal justice or forensic science degree, law enforcement training
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, analyzing evidenceOn-site at crime scenes, outdoor and indoor environments
Employer & IndustryCrime labs, forensic laboratoriesLaw enforcement agencies, police departments
Primary FocusAnalyzing physical evidence in labCollecting evidence at crime scenes

While both roles are essential in forensic investigations, Forensic Lab Technicians focus on analyzing evidence within labs, whereas Crime Scene Investigators gather evidence at crime scenes. Their skills and work environments differ, but both contribute to solving crimes.

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

To thrive as a Forensic Lab Technician, you need a solid background in biology, chemistry, or forensic science, usually with a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with laboratory instruments such as spectrometers, DNA analyzers, and evidence management software, along with certifications like the American Board of Criminalistics (ABC), is highly valuable. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure precise evidence analysis, uphold legal standards, and support the integrity of criminal investigations.

What does a Forensic Lab Technician do?

A Forensic Lab Technician assists forensic scientists by preparing and analyzing physical evidence from crime scenes. Their duties include processing samples such as blood, hair, fibers, and other trace materials using specialized laboratory equipment and techniques. They must carefully document their findings and may be called to testify in court about their analyses. Accuracy, attention to detail, and adherence to strict protocols are essential in this role.

What are some common challenges faced by forensic lab technicians when handling evidence?

Forensic lab technicians often face challenges such as maintaining the integrity and chain of custody for evidence, managing a high volume of samples, and ensuring accuracy under strict deadlines. Proper documentation and meticulous attention to detail are crucial to prevent contamination or mishandling, which could compromise investigations. Additionally, working closely with law enforcement and legal teams requires strong communication skills and adaptability to changing priorities.
More about Forensic Lab Technician jobs
What cities are hiring for Forensic Lab Technician jobs? Cities with the most Forensic Lab Technician job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Forensic Lab Technician jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Forensic Lab Technician jobs are:
Forensic Lab Technician jobs near you
Infographic showing various Forensic Lab Technician job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 8% Full Time, 54% Part Time, and 34% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,516 per year, or $25.2 per hour.
Digital Forensic Lab Technician (Unit 42)

Digital Forensic Lab Technician (Unit 42)

Palo Alto Networks

Reston, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Our Mission
At Palo Alto Networks®, we're united by a shared mission-to protect our digital way of life. We thrive at the intersection of innovation and impact, solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology and bold thinking. Here, everyone has a voice, and every idea counts. If you're ready to do the most meaningful work of your career alongside people who are just as passionate as you are, you're in the right place.
Who We Are
In order to be the cybersecurity partner of choice, we must trailblaze the path and shape the future of our industry. This is something our employees work at each day and is defined by our values: Disruption, Collaboration, Execution, Integrity, and Inclusion. We weave AI into the fabric of everything we do and use it to augment the impact every individual can have. If you are passionate about solving real-world problems and ideating beside the best and the brightest, we invite you to join us!
We believe collaboration thrives in person. That's why most of our teams work from the office full time, with flexibility when it's needed. This model supports real-time problem-solving, stronger relationships, and the kind of precision that drives great outcomes.
Job Summary
Reporting directly to the Forensic Lab Director, the Digital Forensic Lab Technician is a critical pillar of our lab's operations, ensuring all digital evidence is handled, tracked, and preserved in strict accordance with industry-leading standards. The ideal candidate will excel in a fast-paced, high-stakes laboratory environment where meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities are essential. Due to the time-sensitive nature of forensic investigations, this role requires schedule flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend work, as well as participation in a holiday on-call rotation.
Key Responsibilities
  • Manage the end-to-end evidence lifecycle-including receipt, inventory, tracking, and auditing-ensuring strict adherence to lab protocols and company standards from case inception to closure.
  • Maintain meticulous chain of custody documentation to guarantee the legal defensibility, security, and integrity of all physical and digital evidence.
  • Perform forensically sound acquisitions and preservations of digital media across diverse platforms, including workstations, servers, mobile devices, and tablets.
  • Triage and fulfill evidence handling and system requests via Jira, ensuring rapid resolution and consistent adherence to internal Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
  • Evaluate, test, and validate emerging forensic hardware, software, and methodologies to continuously enhance lab capabilities and efficiency.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional IT teams to monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot the forensic lab's high-performance computing and secure storage infrastructure.
  • Design and administer comprehensive training modules via Litmos to educate staff on evolving lab workflows, security policies, and forensic systems.
  • Facilitate software and hardware procurement and manage licensing renewals, optimizing internal workflows and ensuring uninterrupted lab operations.
  • Author, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
  • Execute secure data wiping and evidence disposition protocols for closed cases in accordance with data retention policies and environmental guidelines.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field.
  • 1+ year of experience and/or new grad with Bachelor's degree.
  • Working knowledge of Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems, including file systems and common artifacts.
  • Proven ability to diagnose and resolve routine to complex hardware and software operational issues.
  • Solid understanding of computer networking principles, protocols, and underlying enterprise IT infrastructure.
  • A strong, demonstrated passion for technology, cybersecurity, and digital forensics, with a desire to stay current on emerging trends.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical findings for non-technical stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Prior experience handling digital evidence and a practical understanding of forensic imaging tools, write-blocking techniques, and preservation methodologies.
  • Relevant industry-recognized certifications, such as EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE), or similar credentials.

Compensation Disclosure
The compensation offered for this position will depend on qualifications, experience, and work location. For candidates who receive an offer at the posted level, the starting base salary (for non-sales roles) or base salary + commission target (for sales/com-missioned roles) is expected to be the annual range listed below. The offered compensation may also include restricted stock units and a bonus. A description of our employee benefits may be found here.
$74,000.00 - $119,000.00/yr
Our Commitment
We're trailblazers that dream big, take risks, and challenge cybersecurity's status quo. It's simple: we can't accomplish our mission without diverse teams innovating, together.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with a disability. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability or special need, please contact us at accommodations@paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity in our workplace, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or other legally protected characteristics.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Is role eligible for Immigration Sponsorship? No. Please note that we will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.

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