Forensic Science Professor

Also called: Professor of Forensic Science

Teaches crime lab science at a university and researches new forensic methods.

A day in the life

Runs a mock crime scene for students, tests whether a new DNA method works on degraded samples, and consults on tough cases.

Pay over a career

Starting

$75k

Typical

$100k

High

$150k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Doctorate (PhD), about 10 years after high school. PhD in forensic science, chemistry, or biology.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology.

Outlook

Growing about average. Steady.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. AI tutors support lectures, but teaching hands-on crime lab skills and mentoring stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Chemistry, Biology, Speech or debate.

• Science Olympiad Forensics
• Tutor classmates in science
• Mock Trial

Official data: O*NET occupation 25-1042.

More Forensic Science careers

• Forensic Science Technician
• Forensic DNA Analyst
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Forensic Pathologist
• Crime Laboratory Director
• Forensic Anthropologist
• Forensic Odontologist
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Forensic Chemist (Drug Analyst)
• Latent Print Examiner
• Firearms & Toolmark Examiner
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• Forensic Entomologist
• Wildlife Forensic Scientist
• Bloodstain Pattern Analyst
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• Autopsy Technician
• Evidence Custodian
• Forensic Photographer
• Trace Evidence Examiner
• Forensic Botanist
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• Forensic Taphonomist

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.