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Forensic computer examiner salary
Average forensic computer examiner salary
$66,393
Understanding Forensic Computer Examiner Salaries
The average Forensic Computer Examiner salary stands at $66,393 annually. However, salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and the specific industry of employment. For instance, examiners working in metropolitan areas often command higher wages due to the demand for skilled professionals. States like California and New York are known for offering competitive salaries, while cities like San Francisco and New York City frequently top the list for pay rates.
In addition to location, years of experience play a crucial role in determining salary levels. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with extensive experience and specialized skills can expect significantly higher earnings. Industries such as cybersecurity and law enforcement often provide the highest compensation. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring forensic computer examiners strategically plan their career paths and maximize their earning potential.
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Where can a Forensic Computer Examiner earn more?
Average forensic computer examiner salary by state
The average forensic computer examiner salary in Alaska, Utah, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average forensic computer examiner salary states are Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for forensic computer examiners
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $103,552 | $49.78 |
| 2 | Mississippi | $91,324 | $43.91 |
| 3 | Utah | $95,927 | $46.12 |
| 4 | Nebraska | $91,357 | $43.92 |
| 5 | Maine | $82,702 | $39.76 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $83,593 | $40.19 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $81,920 | $39.38 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $82,942 | $39.88 |
| 9 | California | $91,719 | $44.10 |
| 10 | Vermont | $79,868 | $38.40 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $83,504 | $40.15 |
| 12 | North Dakota | $91,627 | $44.05 |
| 13 | Maryland | $81,240 | $39.06 |
| 14 | Delaware | $82,026 | $39.44 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | $80,846 | $38.87 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $78,762 | $37.87 |
| 17 | Montana | $73,674 | $35.42 |
| 18 | Washington | $80,894 | $38.89 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $71,699 | $34.47 |
| 20 | Nevada | $79,413 | $38.18 |
| 21 | Ohio | $78,317 | $37.65 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $68,296 | $32.83 |
| 23 | Colorado | $72,182 | $34.70 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $73,549 | $35.36 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $73,106 | $35.15 |
| 26 | Louisiana | $72,806 | $35.00 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $76,450 | $36.75 |
| 28 | Arizona | $69,126 | $33.23 |
| 29 | Texas | $70,264 | $33.78 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $72,345 | $34.78 |
| 31 | Illinois | $72,022 | $34.63 |
| 32 | Virginia | $66,393 | $31.92 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $71,682 | $34.46 |
| 34 | Minnesota | $69,198 | $33.27 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $62,837 | $30.21 |
| 36 | Idaho | $62,756 | $30.17 |
| 37 | Iowa | $65,033 | $31.27 |
| 38 | Oregon | $69,514 | $33.42 |
| 39 | New York | $66,856 | $32.14 |
| 40 | Florida | $63,658 | $30.60 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $61,333 | $29.49 |
| 42 | Alabama | $61,733 | $29.68 |
| 43 | Michigan | $57,923 | $27.85 |
| 44 | Indiana | $61,276 | $29.46 |
| 45 | Georgia | $52,001 | $25.00 |
| 46 | Missouri | $57,693 | $27.74 |
| 47 | Kansas | $50,429 | $24.24 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $52,621 | $25.30 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $52,070 | $25.03 |
| 50 | North Carolina | $51,768 | $24.89 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $52,251 | $25.12 |
Highest paying cities for forensic computer examiners
The highest-paying cities for forensic computer examiners are Santa Rosa, CA, Towson, MD, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa, CA | $95,675 | $46.00 |
| 2 | Towson, MD | $81,488 | $39.18 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $80,909 | $38.90 |
| 4 | Pensacola, FL | $70,108 | $33.71 |
| 5 | Arlington, VA | $67,513 | $32.46 |
Forensic computer examiner salary details
A forensic computer examiner's salary ranges from $46,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $94,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a forensic computer examiner's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $94,000 | $7,833 | $45 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $6,583 | $38 |
| Average | $66,393 | $5,533 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,000 | $4,583 | $26 |
| 10th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
Highest paying forensic computer examiner jobs
The highest paying types of forensic computer examiners are forensic scientist, forensic toxicologist, and criminalist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminalist | $68,152 | $5,679 | $32.77 | 14,872 |
| Crime Scene Technician | $51,741 | $4,312 | $24.88 | 5,535 |
| Fingerprint Technician | $39,867 | $3,322 | $19.17 | 23,737 |
| Computer Forensics Technician | $50,698 | $4,225 | $24.37 | 19,018 |
| Forensic Investigator | $52,267 | $4,356 | $25.13 | 5,032 |
| Forensic Scientist | $71,351 | $5,946 | $34.30 | 43,335 |
Top companies hiring forensic computer examiners now:
Which companies pay forensic computer examiners the most?
Forensic computer examiner salaries at Booz Allen Hamilton and Cipher are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average forensic computer examiner salary at companies like Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. and Pacific Architects and Engineers are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Booz Allen Hamilton | $90,910 | $43.71 |
| 2 | Cipher | $84,496 | $40.62 |
| 3 | Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Inc. | $79,975 | $38.45 |
| 4 | Pacific Architects and Engineers | $70,918 | $34.10 |
| 5 | SHINE Systems | $68,510 | $32.94 |
| 6 | Peraton | $68,277 | $32.83 |
| 7 | Baltimore County Golf | $62,952 | $30.27 |
| 8 | TransPerfect | $60,293 | $28.99 |
| 9 | Ventura County Community Foundation | $60,109 | $28.90 |
| 10 | Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania | $51,591 | $24.80 |
| 11 | County Of Ventura | $46,356 | $22.29 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Forensic Computer Examiner salary by industry
The average forensic computer examiner salary varies across industries:
- The average forensic computer examiner salary in the insurance industry is $91,009, the highest of any industry.
- The average forensic computer examiner salary in the finance industry is $89,244.
- Forensic computer examiners in the government industry earn an average salary of $70,170, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for forensic computer examiners
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Insurance | $91,009 | $43.75 |
| 2 | Non Profits | $89,244 | $42.91 |
| 3 | Technology | $74,900 | $36.01 |
| 4 | Government | $70,170 | $33.74 |
High paying forensic computer examiner jobs
Forensic computer examiner salary trends
The average forensic computer examiner salary has risen by $9,215 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average forensic computer examiner earned $57,178 annually, but today, they earn $66,393 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for forensic computer examiners over the last decade.
Compare forensic computer examiner salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average forensic computer examiner salary over time
Compare forensic computer examiner salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Forensic computer examiner salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $66,400 | $31.92 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $64,800 | $31.16 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $63,800 | $30.68 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $63,400 | $30.48 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $62,200 | $29.90 | +0.8% |
Recently added forensic computer examiner salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZP Group | Digital Forensic Examiner | Linthicum, MD | 05/28/2025 | $150,000 |
| Hennepin Healthcare | Forensic Examiner (Casual) | Minneapolis, MN | 02/17/2025 | $87,654 |
| Crime Scene Investigator | Forensic Examiner II | Rapid City, SD | 10/24/2024 | $71,597 |
| United States Courts | Forensic Examiner | Saint Louis, MO | 10/09/2024 | $54,101 |
| Peraton | Forensic Audio-Video Examiner | Bethesda, MD | 10/08/2024 | $146,000 |
| Oak Ridge Associated Universities | Forensic Examiner 1-DNA | Forest Park, GA | 05/19/2024 | $69,867 |
| Iceberg Cyber Security | Digital Forensics, Associate Examiner | New York, NY | 04/07/2024 | $115,000 |
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