Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee pay range
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · class code 72055
- Class code
- 72055
- Pay scale group
- ST 06
- Pay unit
- Year
- Bargaining unit
- B4
- State
- Pennsylvania
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published pay range for Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee is $53,008 to $80,646 per year.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration keys this classification as class code 72055.
- 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 entry level laboratory work in the chemical and biological analysis of forensic human DNA. An employee in this job participates in structured training and practical exercises designed to develop proficiency in performing chemical and biological analysis and comparison of human DNA samples and evidence gathered and submitted by law enforcement authorities. Work involves receiving instruction in the techniques and procedures utilized in a State Police forensic DNA laboratory in the scientific analysis of DNA samples collected from known individuals and criminal casework. Work also involves training in preparing analytical reports associated with evidence processed, maintaining evidence chain of custody, delivering testimony at court proceedings, and maintaining laboratory equipment and reagents.
Examples of the work
• Receives training in chemical and biological techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, and capillary electrophoresis. • Receives training in the various techniques used for the collection, preservation, and handling of evidence, including samples from convicted offenders, and in the importance of maintaining and documenting evidence chain of custody. • Receives training in the identification of human DNA profiles. • Receives training in the analysis of DNA samples collected from known individuals. • Receives training in isolation, extraction, and amplification of human DNA from forensic casework.
Minimum qualifications
• 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 population genetics or statistics.
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.