Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Forensic Science Technicians salary grow from entry-level to senior in South Dakota? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
174% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • South Dakota salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Forensic Science Technicians in South Dakota spans from $26,450 at entry-level to $72,510 at senior level — a difference of $46,060 per year.
Senior Forensic Science Technicianss in South Dakota earn $46,060 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Forensic Science Technicians salary increases with experience in South Dakota, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $26,450 | $2,204 | $12.72 |
| Early Career | P25 | $43,680 | $3,640 | $21.00 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $51,690 | $4,308 | $24.85 |
| Experienced | P75 | $62,310 | $5,192 | $29.96 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $72,510 | $6,042 | $34.86 |
Forensic Science Technicians in South Dakota shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $26,450, while senior-level professionals earn $72,510 — a 174% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($51,690) and experienced level ($62,310), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.
Where does South Dakota rank for Forensic Science Technicians senior-level salaries? Compare South Dakota's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Forensic Science Technicianss (10th percentile) earn approximately $26,450 per year, or $2,204 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $43,680. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Forensic Science Technicianss (90th percentile) earn approximately $72,510 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $62,310. This represents a career premium of 174% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Forensic Science Technicianss is 174%. Entry-level professionals start at $26,450, while senior-level can earn up to $72,510 — a difference of $46,060 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Forensic Science Technicianss is South Dakota, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $72,510 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for South Dakota from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within South Dakota.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS