Computer forensics technician vs dna analyst

The differences between computer forensics technicians and dna analysts 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 dna analyst. Additionally, a dna analyst has an average salary of $55,294, 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 dna analyst are extraction, dna analysis, and lab equipment.

Computer forensics technician vs dna analyst overview

	Computer Forensics Technician	DNA Analyst
Yearly salary	$50,698	$55,294
Hourly rate	$24.37	$26.58
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	19,018	12,410
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Computer forensics technician vs dna analyst salary

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

	Computer Forensics Technician	DNA Analyst
Average salary	$50,698	$55,294
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $65,000	Between $37,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	Lincoln, NE	Dover, DE
Highest paying state	Alaska	Mississippi
Best paying company	Los Alamos National Laboratory	InfosysPublicService
Best paying industry	Government	Health Care

Differences between computer forensics technician and dna analyst education

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

	Computer Forensics Technician	DNA Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Biology
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	Stanford University

Computer forensics technician vs dna analyst demographics

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

	Computer Forensics Technician	DNA Analyst
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9%	Male, 30.5% Female, 69.5%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between computer forensics technician and dna analyst 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.

Dna analyst example responsibilities.

Ensure CODIS sample preparation and organic extraction of DNA daily metrics are achieved and maintain.
Address CODIS software and network issues throughout Wisconsin.
Monitor quality of reagents in a LIMS tracking system.
Process convict offender DNA profiles for entry into CODIS.
Collect data from the capillary electrophoresis machine and interpret the ladders, controls and data for each sample.
Train to use standard operating procedures and policy and procedure to analyze capillary electrophoresis data for several different clients.

Computer forensics technician vs dna analyst skills

Common computer forensics technician skills

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

Common dna analyst skills

Extraction, 10%
DNA Analysis, 10%
Lab Equipment, 8%
Proficiency Testing, 8%
Lims, 7%
ABI, 7%

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Computer Forensics Technician vs DNA Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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