Computer forensics technician vs ballistic technician

The differences between computer forensics technicians and ballistic technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a computer forensics technician and a ballistic technician. Additionally, a ballistic technician has an average salary of $54,313, which is higher than the $50,698 average annual salary of a computer forensics technician.

The top three skills for a computer forensics technician include extraction, physical evidence and digital evidence. The most important skills for a ballistic technician are ammunition, ATF, and .

Computer forensics technician vs ballistic technician overview

	Computer Forensics Technician	Ballistic Technician
Yearly salary	$50,698	$54,313
Hourly rate	$24.37	$26.11
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	19,018	5,513
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Associate Degree, 50%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Computer forensics technician vs ballistic technician salary

Computer forensics technicians and ballistic technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Forensics Technician	Ballistic Technician
Average salary	$50,698	$54,313
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $65,000	Between $28,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	Lincoln, NE	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Los Alamos National Laboratory	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between computer forensics technician and ballistic technician education

There are a few differences between a computer forensics technician and a ballistic technician in terms of educational background:

	Computer Forensics Technician	Ballistic Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Associate Degree, 50%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	California State University - Long Beach

Computer forensics technician vs ballistic technician demographics

Here are the differences between computer forensics technicians' and ballistic technicians' demographics:

	Computer Forensics Technician	Ballistic Technician
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.4% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between computer forensics technician and ballistic technician duties and responsibilities

Computer forensics technician example responsibilities.

Set up and manage all Linux labs campus-wide.
Identify, collect, preserve and impound evidence including developing fingerprints and/or footprints and collecting DNA and stain evidence.
Train employees and subcontractors on the use, maintenance and troubleshooting of genetic analysis and real-time PCR system instrumentation and software.
Compose comprehensive DNA analysis reports.
Increase customer satisfaction by validating a more sensitive extraction method which produce more informative results.
Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders.

Ballistic technician example responsibilities.

Assist in managing technical and regulatory site visits to the laboratory and interface with QA and RA on all vendor/regulatory audits.
Conduct ballistic tests for customers, domestic and foreign, seeking NIJ certification or research.
Evaluate current lab practices and independent initialization of startup procedures for new lab practices and lab organization for ISO accreditation.
Install blast sleeves, positive and negative EB switches w/ retaining nuts and top sub head assembly.
Check SID numbers in RAS system.

Computer forensics technician vs ballistic technician skills

Common computer forensics technician skills

Extraction, 21%
Physical Evidence, 12%
Digital Evidence, 11%
Laboratory Equipment, 8%
Maintenance Logs, 8%
Immunoassay, 5%

Common ballistic technician skills

Ammunition, 58%
ATF, 42%

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Computer Forensics Technician
Computer Forensics Technician vs Ballistic Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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