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Forensic Science Technicians Salary in Texas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Forensic Science Technicians salary really buy you in Texas?

Texas is 2.5% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$59,870
Median annual (2025)
+2.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$61,405
COL-adjusted (RPP=97.5)

Texas Cost of Living Index

Texas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 97.5, meaning prices are 2.5% lower the national average. A Forensic Science Technicians earning $59,870 in Texas has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,405 in an average-cost US state.

TX: 97.5
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Texas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $42,430 $43,517 +$1,087
25th Percentile (P25) $49,460 $50,728 +$1,268
Median (P50) $59,870 $61,405 +$1,535
75th Percentile (P75) $70,130 $71,928 +$1,798
90th Percentile (P90) $82,640 $84,758 +$2,118
Key Insight

Texas's cost of living is close to the national average, so $59,870 keeps most of its value at $61,405 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Texas Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 97.5

With an RPP of 97.5, Texas is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Forensic Science Technicians is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Minor COL Adjustment for This Salary

+2.6%

After adjusting for Texas's cost of living, $59,870 nominal nets out to $61,405 in real purchasing power — a small 2.6% gain. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Forensic Science Technicians.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#35 / 41

Texas ranks #35 of 41 — bottom quartile for Forensic Science Technicians real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Forensic Science Technicians (After Cost of Living)

Where does Forensic Science Technicians salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$123,188
RPP 101.3
2. Montana
$91,029
RPP 90.3
$90,755
RPP 112.5
4. Nevada
$84,118
RPP 96.4
$82,121
RPP 102.3
$80,742
RPP 106.4
$80,146
RPP 88.7
$78,771
RPP 97.7
$78,309
RPP 92.3
10. Maryland
$78,228
RPP 105.0

Texas ranks #35 out of 41 states for Forensic Science Technicians after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Forensic Science Technicians take-home pay in Texas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Forensic Science Technicians in Texas after cost of living?

A Forensic Science Technicians in Texas earns a median salary of $59,870 per year. After adjusting for Texas's cost of living (RPP=97.5), the real purchasing power is $61,405 — a +2.6% difference.

Is Texas expensive to live in?

Texas's cost of living is 2.5% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Texas is 97.5 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Forensic Science Technicians in Texas: $59,870 x (100 / 97.5) = $61,405. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Forensic Science Technicians in Texas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Forensic Science Technicians in Texas enjoys 2.6% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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