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How to hire a fingerprint technician

Fingerprint technician hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring fingerprint technicians in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a fingerprint technician is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new fingerprint technician to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a fingerprint technician, step by step

To hire a fingerprint technician, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a fingerprint technician:

Here's a step-by-step fingerprint technician hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a fingerprint technician job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fingerprint technician
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    The fingerprint technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect fingerprint technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of fingerprint technician salaries for various roles:

    Type of Fingerprint TechnicianDescriptionHourly rate
    Fingerprint TechnicianForensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. Many technicians specialize in either crime scene investigation or laboratory analysis... Show more$12-28
    Forensic Computer ExaminerWith the arrival of the computer age came a plethora of crimes. Forensic computer examiners collect and analyze data to uncover and prosecute electronic fraud, scams, and identify theft... Show more$22-45
    CriminalistA criminalist works in the forensic science or law enforcement field. Their duties depend upon the agency or place they work for, but they are often responsible for conducting crime investigations, studying crime scenes, gathering and examining evidence, processing evidence, and coordinating with investigators... Show more$17-61
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Customer Service
    • Citizenship
    • USCIS
    • Fingerprint Cards
    • Process Applicants
    • Background Checks
    • Criminal Justice
    • Afis
    • Law Enforcement Agencies
    • Electronic Fingerprints
    • Live Scan
    • NCIC
    • Identification System
    • DNA
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Utilize SharePoint and Accutrac to convert information, by ensuring constant communication with department records coordinator and project leads.
    • Evaluate ink fingerprints for accuracy and assign fingerprint pattern for entry into AFIS.
    • Compare fingerprints in the AFIS system to fingerprints on file matching core and minutia.
    • Transform a drug chemistry laboratory suite into a forensic biology and DNA training suite.
    • Perform CSI duties (fingerprinting, DNA swabbing, photography, reports, and collection of evidence )
    • Compose written reports of data collect from patient evaluation and present to department chief for thorough analysis of patient diagnosis.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your fingerprint technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A fingerprint technician salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, fingerprint technicians' average salary in north carolina is 54% less than in alaska.
    • Seniority. Entry-level fingerprint technicians earn 57% less than senior-level fingerprint technicians.
    • Certifications. A fingerprint technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a fingerprint technician's salary.

    Average fingerprint technician salary

    $39,867yearly

    $19.17 hourly rate

    Entry-level fingerprint technician salary
    $26,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025
  4. Writing a fingerprint technician job description

    A good fingerprint technician job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a fingerprint technician job description:

    Fingerprint technician job description example

    General information

    Job Title

    Security Fingerprint Technician - SLC

    Date

    Tuesday, October 11, 2022

    Shift

    A.M. shift, Overnight shift, P.M. shift

    Full/Part Time

    Full-time

    State

    Utah

    City

    Salt Lake City

    Requirements and Description

    PAY RATE = $15.50/hourly

    Essential Functions / Key Responsibilities
    1. Ability to operate a LiveScan Digital machine to fingerprint applicants.
    2. Ability to apply basic systems checks of the Live Scan Digital machine.
    3. Ability to perform basic administrative tasks.
    4. Performs other related duties as assigned within the appropriate skill and experience capabilities expected for this position.
    5. Type 45-50 wpm.
    6. Data Entry skills preferred.

    Basic Qualifications

    Pre-requisites:
    • Must be a local (in-state) resident.
    • Valid In-State Driver's License.
    • Must have valid driver's license
    • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen.
    • Ability to pass up to a 10-year background check.
    • Must be at least 18 years of age.
    • Must have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.
    • Must complete SIDA training to obtain airport authority identification security.

    Experience:
    • Customer service in fast moving environment.

    Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
    • Excellent customer service skills.
    • Strong work ethic.
    • Ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
    • Ability to work with confidential information

    Benefits
    • Flight Privileges - Offered after 30 days for employee and eligible family members with Delta Airlines!
    • Competitive pay with daily access to earned wages
    • Paid holidays and paid time off
    • Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
    • 401k company match upon eligibility
    • Exclusive discounts and additional wellness programs

    Preferred Qualifications

    Education:
    • High School Graduate
    • College (minimum 1 year)

    Experience:
    • Minimum 2+ years of relevant experience preferred.

    Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
    • Able to communicate information and instructions verbally and written.
    • Able to communicate effectively in a professional manner.

    Working Conditions

    Work Schedule:
    • Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm (Various shifts and must be flexible)
    • Flexibility to work a variety of shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime.

    Work Environment:
    • Office Environment
    • Employees work inside the Delta Air Line corporate offices. Utilizes a personal computer. May sit for long periods.
    • Exposure to moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phones, printers, and foot traffic), temperature and light fluctuations.

    Physical Demands/Requirements:
    • Must be able to lift / carry / push / pull and move items of 70 pounds and/or more on a regular basis and repetitively lift weights of 40 to 50 pounds on raised surfaces.
    • Must be able to walk, climb, bend, kneel, crawl, and stoop on a frequent basis and for extended periods.
    • Sense of Sound/Hearing - Must be able to communicate by radio, phone, and other devices.
    • The incumbent is regularly required to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
    • Must be able to work in cramped or high places

    Supervisory Responsibilities
    • None

    Legal

    Unifi is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

    "Unifi Aviation LLC. is committed to equal opportunity employment regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or veteran status."
  5. Post your job

    To find fingerprint technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any fingerprint technicians they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level fingerprint technicians with the right educational background.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your fingerprint technician job on Zippia to find and recruit fingerprint technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting fingerprint technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fingerprint technician

    Once you've selected the best fingerprint technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a fingerprint technician?

Before you start to hire fingerprint technicians, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire fingerprint technicians pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

Fingerprint technicians earn a median yearly salary is $39,867 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find fingerprint technicians for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $12 and $28.

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