Forensic Scientist 5 pay range
State of Washington · class code 505F
- Class code
- 505F
- Salary range
- 71
- Pay unit
- Year
- State
- Washington
- The State of Washington published pay range for Forensic Scientist 5 is $93,288 to $125,544 per year.
- Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) keys this classification as class code 505F.
- 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 71 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 | $93,288 | $95,676 | $98,064 | $100,488 | $102,996 | $105,612 | $108,228 | $110,952 | $113,736 | $116,544 | $119,460 | $122,448 | $125,544 |
| Monthly | $7,774 | $7,973 | $8,172 | $8,374 | $8,583 | $8,801 | $9,019 | $9,246 | $9,478 | $9,712 | $9,955 | $10,204 | $10,462 |
| Hourly | $44.68 | $45.82 | $46.97 | $48.13 | $49.33 | $50.58 | $51.83 | $53.14 | $54.47 | $55.82 | $57.21 | $58.64 | $60.13 |
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
Positions supervise forensic scientists and support staff within a full or limited-service forensic laboratory and as working supervisors, are also responsible for performing complex analyses on physical evidence. This involves casework where applied research, method modification, or a unique approach may be necessary; or a single definite conclusion is not possible and a weighted conclusion is warranted; or casework requiring the reconstruction of an event or series of events based upon the interpretation of physical evidence.
Examples of the work
Supervises forensic scientists in a crime laboratory, which includes managing case backlogs and assigning routine and rush cases; 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 conclusions, selecting appropriate methods, techniques, and instruments; Reports findings in the form of a written laboratory report based on the interpretation of observations and analytical results; Participates in a forensic examination self-study program to remain current in the field ...
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 Five years of technical experience in a forensic science laboratory which includes two years performing analyses of physical evidence and testifying as an expert witness in courts of law. Note: For DNA positions, applicants must have successfully completed at least one undergraduate or graduate level course in each of the following subjects: biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.
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.