Forensic Scientist 1 pay range
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · class code 72062
- Class code
- 72062
- Pay scale group
- ST 07
- Pay unit
- Year
- Bargaining unit
- B4
- State
- Pennsylvania
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published pay range for Forensic Scientist 1 is $60,538 to $92,010 per year.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration keys this classification as class code 72062.
- 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 01/28/2011.
What the state says the job is
This is professional laboratory work in the chemical, physical and biological analysis and comparison of criminal evidence. An employee in this job performs independent casework of limited complexity in the chemical, physical and biological analysis and comparison of evidence gathered and submitted by law enforcement authorities. Work is assigned in one or more of the State Police forensic laboratory’s discipline areas such as drug identification, serological examinations, blood alcohol analysis, and trace evidence analysis. Work is characterized by scientific analysis of casework that is limited in variety and scope. Work involves independently maintaining a detailed record of analysis and chain of custody, preparing analytical reports associated with evidence processed, providing expert testimony at court proceedings, and maintaining laboratory equipment and reagents.
Examples of the work
Applies physical, chemical, microscopic, chromatographic and instrumental techniques such as gas chromatography, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, infrared spectrophotometry, atomic absorption spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, energy dispersive Xray spectrometry and electron microscopy. Examines, compares, identifies and evaluates physical evidence such as biological fluids, hair, fibers, paint chips, glass fragments, fire debris, drugs, alcoholic beverages, gunshot primer residue, explosives, and obliterated serial numbers. Identifies alcohol and determines its concentration in blood or other evidence. Identifies controlled drug substances and related chemical compounds.
Minimum qualifications
Successful completion of the Forensic Scientist Trainee program; or Successful completion of the Forensic DNA Scientist Trainee program; 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.
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.
Nearby classes in Pennsylvania
Forensic Scientist 1 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $67,314 | $104,338 | $67,314 to $104,338 |
| Minnesota | $64,227 | $94,503 | $64,227 to $94,503 |
| New Jersey | $79,844 | $117,228 | $79,844 to $117,228 |
| Washington | $61,332 | $82,440 | $61,332 to $82,440 |
Each state publishes its own range for a classification with this exact title. Duties, grade structures and bargaining units differ between states, so read each class page before comparing.