Forensic Scientist Trainee pay range
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania · class code 72061
- Class code
- 72061
- Pay scale group
- ST 06
- Pay unit
- Year
- Bargaining unit
- B4
- State
- Pennsylvania
- The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published pay range for Forensic Scientist Trainee is $53,008 to $80,646 per year.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of Administration keys this classification as class code 72061.
- 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 entry level work in the chemical, physical and biological analysis and comparison of criminal evidence. An employee in this job participates in structured training and practical casework designed to develop proficiency in performing chemical, physical and biological analysis and comparison of evidence gathered and submitted by law enforcement authorities. Work involves receiving instruction in the techniques and methods utilized by one of the State Police forensic laboratory’s discipline areas, such as drug identification, serological examinations, and trace evidence analysis. Work also involves training in preparing analytical reports associated with evidence processed, maintaining evidence chain of custody, delivering testimony, and maintaining laboratory equipment and reagents.
Examples of the work
Receives training in 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. Receives training in the identification of controlled drug substances and related chemical compounds. Receives training in the comparison and identification of physical evidence such as hairs, fibers, paints, polymers, fire debris, drugs, glass, gunshot primer residue, obliterated serial numbers, and metals.
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.
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 Trainee in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $63,936 | $95,244 | $63,936 to $95,244 |
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.