Forensic Scientist 3 pay range
State of Washington · class code 505C
- Class code
- 505C
- Salary range
- 66
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Forensic Scientist 3 is $82,440 to $110,952 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 505C.
- This is the range the plan authorises, not the salary of any individual employee.
Step progression
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) assigns this class to salary range 66 in the General Service Salary Schedule. The range pays 13 steps; a step is normally earned on a periodic increment date, not negotiated.
| Basis | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual | $82,440 | $84,528 | $86,688 | $88,788 | $91,104 | $93,288 | $95,676 | $98,064 | $100,488 | $102,996 | $105,612 | $108,228 | $110,952 |
| Monthly | $6,870 | $7,044 | $7,224 | $7,399 | $7,592 | $7,774 | $7,973 | $8,172 | $8,374 | $8,583 | $8,801 | $9,019 | $9,246 |
| Hourly | $39.48 | $40.48 | $41.52 | $42.52 | $43.63 | $44.68 | $45.82 | $46.97 | $48.13 | $49.33 | $50.58 | $51.83 | $53.14 |
Steps as published. The monthly and hourly rows are the state's own, not conversions of the annual row.
Class specification
The OFM classified job specification for this class is published by Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). 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.
What the state says the job is
This is the senior, specialist, or leadworker level of the series. Positions perform complex analyses on physical evidence in criminal cases submitted to the forensic laboratory. Incumbents interpret analytical results, prepare written opinion reports, and testify as experts in courts of law. Complex analysis involves casework where applied research, method modification, or a unique approach may be necessary; or a single definite conclusion is not possible and weighted conclusion is warranted; or casework requiring the reconstruction of an event or series of events based on the interpretation of physical evidence.
Examples of the work
Documents and protects evidence according to laboratory procedures, ensuring that the chain of custody is maintained; In an assigned forensic science discipline, examines and analyzes evidence in complex case requests where interpretations could lead to less definitive weighted conclusion, selecting appropriate methods, techniques, and instruments; Reports findings in the form of a written laboratory report based on the interpretation of observations and analytical test results; May respond to requests for assistance at crime scenes; Testifies as an expert witness in a court of law; Provides peer review and participates in proficiency testing to maintain expertise; Trains other forensic scie ...
Minimum qualifications
Positions typically require a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science, natural science, or closely related field which includes a minimum of 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of chemistry and 5 semester or 8 quarter hours of physics, AND Three years of technical experience in a forensic science laboratory performing analyses of physical evidence which includes testifying as an expert witness in courts of law. Examples of related fields, including but not limited to, are: pharmacology, medical technology, genetics or molecular biology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, clinical chemistry, or toxicology.
Quoted from the OFM classified job specification, read 2026-10-21.
Where this comes from
Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) publishes this figure in Classified Job Listing joined to the OFM salary schedules effective July 1, 2026. Every number on this page is read from that document; nothing is estimated, modelled or averaged.
The dollar figures come from the salary schedule the listing assigns this range to.
Nearby classes in Washington
Forensic Scientist 3 in other states
| State | Minimum | Maximum | Per year at full time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | $53,222 | $79,846 | $53,222 to $79,846 |
| Minnesota | $81,891 | $121,835 | $81,891 to $121,835 |
| New Jersey | $100,498 | $148,187 | $100,498 to $148,187 |
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.