Forensic DNA Scientist 1 pay range
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · class code 72056
- Class code
- 72056
- Pay scale group
- ST 07
- Pay unit
- Year
- Bargaining unit
- B4
- State
- Pennsylvania
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published pay range for Forensic DNA Scientist 1 is $60,538 to $92,010 per year.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration keys this classification as class code 72056.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Class specification
The Commonwealth job specification for this class is published by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration. 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 07/01/2020.
What the state says the job is
This is professional laboratory work in the chemical and biological analysis of forensic human DNA. An employee in this job performs work of limited complexity in the chemical and biological analysis and comparison of human DNA samples and evidence gathered and submitted by law enforcement authorities. Work involves independent identification and analysis of DNA samples collected from known individuals; analysis of DNA criminal casework of limited complexity; and participation in ongoing training and practical exercises designed to further develop skills in the analysis of forensic DNA casework. Work is performed in a State Police forensic DNA laboratory and includes preparing analytical reports associated with evidence processed, maintaining evidence chain of custody, providing expert testimony at court proceedings, and maintaining laboratory equipment and reagents.
Examples of the work
• Performs chemical and biological techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, and capillary electrophoresis. • Collects, preserves, and handles evidence and convicted offender samples, and documents evidence chain of custody. • Identifies and analyzes DNA samples collected from known individuals. • Maintains and compares DNA profile information in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). • Isolates, extracts, and amplifies human DNA from forensic casework that involves large amounts of cellular material. • Conducts forensic DNA analysis of criminal cases that involve a small number of pieces of evidence from which results can be easily obtained.
Minimum qualifications
• Successful completion of the Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee program (commonwealth title); or • Successful completion of the Forensic Scientist Trainee program (commonwealth title) and three credits each in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and population genetics or statistics; or • One year of professional laboratory work experience in the chemical, physical, or biological analysis and comparison of substances or materials, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, forensic science, or a closely related physical or natural science, which includes or is supplemented by 16 college credits in chemistry and three credits each in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, and pop ...
Quoted from the Commonwealth job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration publishes this figure in Classification and Pay Plan (online, current annual salary ranges). Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The Commonwealth also links this class code to its own job title and specification. That page is the official description of the classification; this page publishes its pay range.
The listed pay scale is available in the Commonwealth's current ST schedule.