Forensic Scientist 2 pay range
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · class code 72063
- Class code
- 72063
- Pay scale group
- ST 08
- Pay unit
- Year
- Bargaining unit
- B4
- State
- Pennsylvania
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published pay range for Forensic Scientist 2 is $69,086 to $104,959 per year.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration keys this classification as class code 72063.
- 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 advanced professional laboratory work in the chemical, physical and biological analysis and comparison of criminal evidence. An employee in this job performs independent casework involving the most complex 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 involves selecting and conducting appropriate complex examinations for the full range of evidence associated with the assigned discipline area. Work may also include reviewing casework processed by other laboratory staff.
Examples of the work
Performs routine and advanced scientific analysis of casework that involves the full range of evidence and examination techniques associated with the assigned discipline area. Conducts technical and administrative review of casework processed by other forensic scientists by examining records of analysis and analytical reports to either concur with actions taken and concluded results or return for correction or further analysis. Examines criminal evidence which has or is expected to have significant interest by the news media or judicial system. Participates in analyses of cases that cross discipline areas.
Minimum qualifications
One year as a Forensic Scientist 1; or One year as a Forensic DNA Scientist 1; or Two years of professional laboratory work experience in the chemical, physical or biological analysis and comparison of criminal evidence 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 2 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $59,800 | $92,690 | $59,800 to $92,690 |
| Minnesota | $73,706 | $109,307 | $73,706 to $109,307 |
| New Jersey | $91,628 | $134,900 | $91,628 to $134,900 |
| Washington | $67,704 | $91,104 | $67,704 to $91,104 |
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.