Best cities for a forensic scientist
The best cities for forensic scientists are Lincoln, NE, Henderson, NV, and Anchorage, AK, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for forensic scientists vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for forensic scientists in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a forensic scientist or considering a move, this list of the best cities for forensic scientists to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for forensic scientists. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a forensic scientist. While the absolute best city for forensic scientists is Lincoln, NE, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for forensic scientists in 2024.
If you're looking for a forensic scientist job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for forensic scientists in 2026
1. Lincoln, NE
Total forensic scientist jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $92,039 Lowest 10 percent warn: $58,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 16.59 2. Henderson, NV
Total forensic scientist jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $79,881 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $130,000 Location quotient: 82.27 3. Anchorage, AK
Total forensic scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $108,020 Lowest 10 percent warn: $74,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Omaha, NE
Total forensic scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $92,834 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $144,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Cleveland, OH
Total forensic scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $83,324 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Saint Louis, MO
Total forensic scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $94,979 Lowest 10 percent warn: $59,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $152,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Kansas City, MO
Total forensic scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $92,028 Lowest 10 percent warn: $57,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $146,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Columbus, OH
Total forensic scientist jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $80,956 Lowest 10 percent warn: $50,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 1.03 9. Reno, NV
Total forensic scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $84,918 Lowest 10 percent warn: $52,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $137,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Toledo, OH
Total forensic scientist jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $81,987 Lowest 10 percent warn: $51,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for forensic scientists
- Lincoln, NE
- Henderson, NV
- Anchorage, AK
- Omaha, NE
- Cleveland, OH
- Saint Louis, MO
- Kansas City, MO
- Columbus, OH
- Reno, NV
- Toledo, OH
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Detailed list of the best cities for a forensic scientist
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln, NE | $92,039 | $58,000 | 280,364 | 4 |
| 2 | Henderson, NV | $79,881 | $48,000 | 292,969 | 5 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $108,020 | $74,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 4 | Omaha, NE | $92,834 | $59,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $83,324 | $52,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 6 | Saint Louis, MO | $94,979 | $59,000 | 311,404 | - |
| 7 | Kansas City, MO | $92,028 | $57,000 | 481,420 | - |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $80,956 | $50,000 | 860,090 | 1 |
| 9 | Reno, NV | $84,918 | $52,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 10 | Toledo, OH | $81,987 | $51,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 11 | Oakland, CA | $102,604 | $62,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 12 | Cincinnati, OH | $79,208 | $49,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 13 | Lexington, KY | $78,256 | $48,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 14 | Fremont, CA | $102,164 | $62,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 15 | San Francisco, CA | $102,873 | $63,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 16 | San Jose, CA | $101,915 | $62,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 17 | Sacramento, CA | $101,703 | $62,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 18 | Stockton, CA | $101,457 | $62,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 19 | Las Vegas, NV | $80,185 | $48,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 20 | Saint Paul, MN | $73,308 | $48,000 | 302,398 | 10 |
| 21 | Glendale, AZ | $68,996 | $41,000 | 245,895 | 3 |
| 22 | North Las Vegas, NV | $80,037 | $48,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 23 | Louisville, KY | $77,501 | $47,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 24 | Philadelphia, PA | $75,495 | $47,000 | 1,567,872 | 1 |
| 25 | Gilbert, AZ | $68,796 | $41,000 | 237,133 | 2 |
| 26 | Fresno, CA | $99,063 | $60,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 27 | Bakersfield, CA | $96,661 | $58,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 28 | Los Angeles, CA | $94,038 | $57,000 | 3,976,322 | 1 |
| 29 | Long Beach, CA | $93,571 | $56,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 30 | Anaheim, CA | $93,445 | $56,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 31 | Baltimore, MD | $83,817 | $52,000 | 614,664 | 7 |
| 32 | Scottsdale, AZ | $68,889 | $41,000 | 246,645 | 4 |
| 33 | Mesa, AZ | $68,799 | $41,000 | 484,587 | 2 |
| 34 | Santa Ana, CA | $93,316 | $56,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 35 | Irvine, CA | $93,180 | $56,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 36 | Pittsburgh, PA | $73,065 | $45,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 37 | Riverside, CA | $93,171 | $56,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 38 | Boston, MA | $82,931 | $52,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 39 | Seattle, WA | $80,151 | $51,000 | 704,352 | 12 |
| 40 | New Orleans, LA | $73,015 | $43,000 | 391,495 | - |
| 41 | Chicago, IL | $76,727 | $48,000 | 2,704,958 | - |
| 42 | Indianapolis, IN | $64,444 | $40,000 | 855,164 | 13 |
| 43 | San Diego, CA | $91,963 | $55,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 44 | Phoenix, AZ | $68,964 | $41,000 | 1,615,017 | 4 |
| 45 | Fort Wayne, IN | $65,903 | $41,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 46 | Chula Vista, CA | $91,772 | $55,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 47 | Minneapolis, MN | $73,205 | $48,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 48 | Madison, WI | $64,920 | $41,000 | 252,551 | 3 |
| 49 | Albuquerque, NM | $72,668 | $44,000 | 559,277 | - |
| 50 | Jersey City, NJ | $78,249 | $49,000 | 264,152 | - |
Highest paying cities for forensic scientists
| Rank | City | Avg. forensic scientist salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln, NE | $92,039 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $85,112 |
| 3 | Dover, DE | $84,342 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $83,817 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $83,256 |
| 6 | Vancouver, WA | $80,717 |
| 7 | Henderson, NV | $79,881 |
| 8 | Henderson, KY | $75,599 |
| 9 | Norristown, PA | $75,452 |
| 10 | Aurora, CO | $74,065 |
| 11 | Saint Paul, MN | $73,308 |
| 12 | Glendale, AZ | $68,996 |
| 13 | New Windsor, NY | $68,276 |
| 14 | Richmond, VA | $68,134 |
| 15 | Madison, WI | $64,920 |
| 16 | Indianapolis, IN | $64,444 |
| 17 | San Marcos, TX | $62,809 |
| 18 | Meridian, ID | $61,991 |
| 19 | Durham, NC | $54,798 |
| 20 | Oklahoma City, OK | $53,560 |
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Updated January 8, 2025