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Forensic Science Degree Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

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Forensic Science Degree information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$31.3K

$46.3K

$69.3K

How much do forensic science degree jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for forensic science degree in Raleigh, NC is $46,262.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,400.00 and $49,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a forensic science degree?

A forensic science degree is an academic program that prepares students to apply scientific principles and techniques to solve crimes and support legal investigations. The curriculum typically covers subjects such as biology, chemistry, criminal justice, and specialized forensic methods. Graduates learn how to collect, analyze, and interpret physical evidence from crime scenes. This degree can lead to careers in crime laboratories, law enforcement agencies, and other forensic settings. It also provides a foundation for further study in forensic specialties or advanced scientific research.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forensic scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Forensic Scientist, you need a solid background in biology, chemistry, and criminal justice, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree in forensic science or a closely related field. Proficiency with laboratory equipment, forensic analysis software, and evidence handling protocols is essential, and some roles may require professional certifications such as those from the American Board of Criminalistics. Strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective written and verbal communication are standout soft skills in this field. These skills are crucial for maintaining the integrity of evidence, ensuring accurate scientific analysis, and presenting findings clearly in legal contexts.

What types of teams or professionals do forensic science graduates typically work with in their roles?

Forensic science graduates often work closely with law enforcement officers, legal professionals, and specialized laboratory staff. Collaboration is a key part of the job, as forensic scientists provide crucial evidence and expert testimony for criminal investigations and court cases. Teamwork is essential, especially when coordinating evidence collection at crime scenes or interpreting laboratory results with detectives and attorneys. This interdisciplinary environment offers exposure to a variety of cases and professionals, fostering both learning and career growth.

What is the difference between Forensic Science Degree vs Crime Scene Technician?

AspectForensic Science DegreeCrime Scene Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in forensic science, chemistry, biologyHigh school diploma or associate's; specialized training
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, courtrooms, research facilitiesCrime scenes, outdoor and indoor locations
Employer & IndustryLaw enforcement agencies, forensic labs, research institutionsPolice departments, crime scene units
Common Search & ComparisonEducational requirements, career paths, certificationsJob duties, fieldwork, training needed

While a Forensic Science Degree provides a broad educational foundation for various forensic careers, a Crime Scene Technician focuses on collecting and analyzing evidence at crime scenes. Both roles often collaborate but differ in work environment and qualifications required.

Is forensic science a useful degree?

A forensic science degree provides foundational knowledge in crime scene investigation, evidence analysis, and laboratory techniques, which are essential for careers in forensic laboratories, law enforcement, and criminal justice. The degree can lead to roles such as forensic analyst or crime scene investigator, often requiring additional certifications and practical experience. It is considered a valuable degree for those interested in working within the criminal justice system and forensic fields.

What can you do with a bachelor of forensic science?

A bachelor of forensic science prepares individuals for roles such as forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, or laboratory technician. These positions involve analyzing physical evidence, using tools like microscopes and chemical tests, and often require knowledge of criminal justice and laboratory procedures.

What jobs can a forensic science degree get?

A forensic science degree prepares individuals for roles such as forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, forensic laboratory technician, and forensic analyst. These jobs typically involve analyzing physical evidence, using laboratory tools, and working in crime labs or law enforcement agencies. Certification and knowledge of laboratory procedures are often required for employment in this field.

What jobs can you get in forensic science degree?

A forensic science degree can lead to careers such as forensic scientist, crime scene investigator, forensic analyst, laboratory technician, and forensic toxicologist. These roles typically involve analyzing physical evidence, using laboratory tools, and working in crime labs or law enforcement agencies.

What job categories do people searching Forensic Science Degree jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Forensic Science Degree jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Forensic Science Degree jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Forensic Science Degree job openings:

Infographic showing various Forensic Science Degree job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,934 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

FT Dean of Criminal Justice Programs (12M)

Smithfield, NC โ€ข On-site

Johnston Community College
Educationย โ€ขย 201 - 500 employees

$73K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Salary: $73,500.00 Annually
Location : Main Campus - Smithfield, NC
Job Type: Full Time Faculty
Job Number: FTDCJP-07072026
Department: Public Safety
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Recruitment Range: $73,500.00 Minimum
Description
Summary:
Plans, directs, and oversees all areas related to Law Enforcement training and Criminal Justice within Curriculum and Continuing Education. This position is responsible for assisting in the organization, administration, strategic planning, policy development, program and faculty evaluation, and the general effectiveness of the Criminal Justice Technology, Forensic Science Technology, BLET, Continuing Education, and In-Service programs.
Knowledge & Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:
  • Recommending departmental purchases, equipment and supplies, and overseeing equipment inventory and maintenance.
  • Management and scheduling of the Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Training Grounds, buildings and props.
  • Participation in training prop construction, readiness, and maintenance procedures.
  • Ensures compliance with college policy and adopted safety standards during training evolutions, ensures compliance, through administrative oversight for NC Training and Standards.
  • Schedules classes for both on and off-site criminal justice and law enforcement training.
  • Ensures prompt delivery of class packets, training equipment and supplies to criminal justice/law enforcement partners.
  • Works with Registrar for Curriculum and Continuing Education to meet record needs for program audits, including records for JCC and NC Training and Standards Commission.
  • Ensures course offerings are approved and follow all SACSCOC, NCCCS, JCC, NC Training and Standards, DPS, and other regulatory agency requirements.
  • Ensures class packets are properly completed and submitted by regulatory agency and community college guidelines.
  • Hires and prepares contracts for part-time instructors and conducts instructor update classes.
  • Advises students on career options in the criminal justice and law enforcement field.
  • Curriculum development and instruction (including hybrid and enhanced online courses)
  • Scheduling, evaluating, maintaining communication, ensuring compliance with accreditation and safety standards and supervising instructors.
  • Program administration (recruiting and advising students, scheduling, maintaining student files, developing program documents and policies/procedures, handling student issues, communicating with internal and external constituents, evaluating outcomes and program effectiveness).
  • Maintain Criminal Justice Technology, Forensic Science, BLET, Radar, and General Instructor Program accreditation through NC Training and Standards Commission, Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, SACSCOC, NCCCS, JCC, DPS, and other regulatory agency requirements.
  • Develop and maintain affiliations and harmonious working relationships with local, county, state, and other police departments, Sheriff's Offices, Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement contractors, and other educational institutions.
  • Promote public relations for JCC, Criminal Justice Technology Programs, and Law Enforcement Programs through community involvement (Information Sessions, High School visits and other community programs).
  • Attends meetings, seminars, and conferences as needed.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervises three non-supervisory employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, and evaluating employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Minimum & Preferred Qualifications
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Minimum Education:
Master's degree and at least 8 years sworn law enforcement experience and directly applicable experience as an instructor in a community college, general instructor, and at least 3 years of command experience in a law enforcement agency at the rank of Sergeant or higher.
Preferred Education:
Master's degree from an accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or a related field.
Ten or more years in a sworn law enforcement capacity
General Instructor Certification and Specialized Instructor Certifications
Completion of a nationally recognized law enforcement leadership program such as FBI-National Academy
5 or more years command level experience in a law enforcement agency
Experience with law enforcement in-service training or BLET, other than as participant
Minimum Experience:
Two (2) years Administrative / Supervisory experience, Five (5) years law enforcement or criminal justice practitioner experience.
Experience Preferred:
Two (2) years teaching experience/Two (2) years in an administrative / supervisory role in higher education. Experience with online course delivery systems such as Blackboard.
Additional Information
Language Skills:
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of descriptive data and information, such as policy manuals, Employee Handbook, SACSCOC Criteria Manual, NC Community College State Board Code, program guidelines, course syllabi, and course textbooks.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of an organization.
  • Ability to communicate professionally and effectively in both written and spoken formats.

Mathematical Skills:
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
  • Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage
  • Ability to draw and interpret bar graphs.
  • Ability to provide and interpret descriptive data.

Reasoning Ability:
  • Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, teaching pedagogy, and leadership. Ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution. Ability to apply and carry out instructions.
  • Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the direction, control and planning of programs. Develops and applies new and unique methods and thinking to executing plans and strategies.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient in Microsoft Office. A complete knowledge of Microsoft Products as used in overall management in an educational environment is required. Experience creating training using various authoring tools. Experience with online course delivery systems such as Blackboard.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
  • Preferred or eligible to obtain: NC Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor Certification, Shoot House Instructor Certification, First Responder/CPR/AED Certification, Radar Instructor Certification, School Director Certification, NC Criminal Justice General Instructor Certification.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, talk or hear and is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, couch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment can be loud. This environment is commonly near firearms training, law enforcement training, and must work indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. This work may occur during day and night hours.
  • State Health Plan
  • Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Additional Supplemental Insurances
  • Disability Plan through NC Retirement System
  • NC Retirement Plan
  • Leave (Vacation, Sick, FMLA, Civil and Military, and Voluntary Shared)
  • Acceptance of 120 hours of annual leave transfer to JCC
  • Paid Holidays
  • Longevity
  • Prior State Service Verification
  • Supplemental Retirement Plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Education Benefits
  • State Employees' Credit Union
  • State Employees Association of NC (SEANC)
  • Tojan Alliance Partnership Scholarships with the University of Mount Olive

For further information, please contact 919-209-2022
01
Do you have a Master's degree and at least 8 years sworn law enforcement experience and directly applicable experience as an instructor in a community college, general instructor, and at least 3 years of command experience in a law enforcement agency at the rank of Sergeant or higher?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have two (2) years administrative / supervisory experience, five (5) years law enforcement or criminal justice practitioner experience?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question