Forensic Scientist Specialist I pay range
Commonwealth of Kentucky · class code 20000946
- Class code
- 20000946
- Pay grade
- 16
- Pay unit
- Month
- Alternate ranges
- 3
- State
- Kentucky
- The Commonwealth of Kentucky published pay range for Forensic Scientist Specialist I is $4,444 to $7,110 per month, spanning every alternate range the plan defines.
- Kentucky publishes an entry rate and a midpoint for each pay grade, not a maximum, so the upper figure on this page is the grade midpoint.
- That works out to about $53,329 to $85,326 a year at full time.
- Kentucky Personnel Cabinet keys this classification as class code 20000946.
- The plan defines 3 alternate ranges for this class, so the rate depends on which criteria an employee meets.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Alternate ranges
| Range | Entry | Midpoint | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range 37.5-hour week | $4,444 | $6,666 | per month |
| Range 40-hour week | $4,740 | $7,110 | per month |
| Range Hourly | $27.35 | $41.02 | per hour |
Which alternate range applies is set by the plan's own criteria (experience, certification or assignment). The criteria text lives in the source document.
Class specification
The Personnel Cabinet class specification for this class is published by Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. The passages below are quoted from it as published, not paraphrased, and cut to their opening sentences; the full specification is the authority on duties and qualifications. It was last revised 11/16/2024.
What the state says the job is
Provides expertise and performs advanced analytical work in a specialty area of forensics such as chemistry, biology, genetic analysis, firearms identification; and performs other duties as required.
Examples of the work
Provides expertise and performs advanced analytical work in a specialty area of forensics. Mentors trainees in forensic science. Assists in the standardization and coordination of a specialized forensic science area. Acts as an advanced journeyman, performing consultative functions to user agencies. Performs highly responsible laboratory examinations such as chemical analysis of physical evidence. Makes comparisons of paints, glass, soil and other hard trace materials. Identifies and performs genetic analysis on other physiological fluids. Examines and identifies hair, fibers, and performs related examinations by microscopy.
Minimum qualifications
EDUCATION: Graduate of a college or university with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, forensic science, biology, microbiology, biochemistry, medical technology, engineering, mathematics, criminal justice or a closely related field. EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Three years of professional laboratory experience performing work in a specialty area of forensic science. Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: Master's degree in chemistry, forensic science, biology, microbiology, biochemistry, medical technology, engineering, mathematics, or a closely related field will substitute for one year of experience. Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
Quoted from the Personnel Cabinet class specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Kentucky Personnel Cabinet publishes this figure in Classified and Unclassified 37.5 and 40-Hour Salary Schedule, effective September 16, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
Job titles and their pay grades come from the Job Specification Search, joined to the salary schedule.