Computer forensics technician vs forensic ballistics expert

The differences between computer forensics technicians and forensic ballistics experts 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 forensic ballistics expert. Additionally, a forensic ballistics expert has an average salary of $64,737, 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 forensic ballistics expert are litigation, cyber security, and encase.

Computer forensics technician vs forensic ballistics expert overview

	Computer Forensics Technician	Forensic Ballistics Expert
Yearly salary	$50,698	$64,737
Hourly rate	$24.37	$31.12
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	19,018	8,905
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Computer forensics technician vs forensic ballistics expert salary

Computer forensics technicians and forensic ballistics experts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Forensics Technician	Forensic Ballistics Expert
Average salary	$50,698	$64,737
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $65,000	Between $36,000 And $116,000
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 forensic ballistics expert education

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

	Computer Forensics Technician	Forensic Ballistics Expert
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Computer forensics technician vs forensic ballistics expert demographics

Here are the differences between computer forensics technicians' and forensic ballistics experts' demographics:

	Computer Forensics Technician	Forensic Ballistics Expert
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9%	Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
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 forensic ballistics expert 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.

Forensic ballistics expert example responsibilities.

Manage use and maintenance of company vehicle, surveying equip., cameras, and firearms.
Provide computer forensics, litigation and regulatory support, including expert testimony.
Perform in-depth forensic analysis of Macintosh computer hard drives and prepare expert report for use in ongoing litigation.
Perform function tests on submit firearms and collect standards for microscopic comparisons.

Computer forensics technician vs forensic ballistics expert skills

Common computer forensics technician skills

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

Common forensic ballistics expert skills

Litigation, 42%
Cyber Security, 23%
Encase, 15%
E-Discovery, 13%
Security Practices, 7%

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Computer Forensics Technician
Computer Forensics Technician vs Forensic Ballistics Expert

Updated January 8, 2025

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