Also called: Toxicology Analyst
Tests blood and tissue for drugs, alcohol, and poisons in criminal cases and death investigations.
Toxicologists run samples through machines like mass spectrometers to detect substances, interpret what the levels mean, and testify about whether someone was impaired. Rising overdoses have made them busier than ever.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 6 years after high school. Bachelor's in chemistry; master's or PhD for senior roles; ABFT certification.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, Certification. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Chemistry, Toxicology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology.
Growing much faster than average (about 13% over 10 years). BLS forensic science technicians 2024-34 (13%, much faster than average).
Medium risk for 10 years. Automated instruments and AI flag compounds; fewer bench hours, with humans interpreting levels in court.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Statistics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2031.
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.