How is the forensics job market doing?.  Forensics used to be a rather small sector years ago. But now, the prospects are better and improving. Most opportinuties appear in the area of DNA typing, and contrary to the popular idea, many of these jobs are with private rather than government institutions. Think about this: a huge load of DNA data and evidence has accumulated and is continuously being obtained every day. Every suspect, every crime scene and being sampled for DNA and these profiles need to be analyzed by somebody. This is why the job prospect for a DNA typing expert are so favorable.

But his doesn't mean that there are no opportunities for traditional forensic work. The whole field is under constant and frank expansion. The opportunities fluctuate, but patience and perseverance are a must. A good degree on a subject related to forensics will give a big boost to your chances of getting hired where you desire. Again, be patient and take a realistic attitude. Be flexible and start early for a guaranteed success.

Salaries

In the United States, an entry-level technician with no experience and a basic degree can expect to earn around $30,000-$50,000, and there is usually a good salary increase due to gained experience during the first 5 years. Where your salary falls withing the range depends on the institution, the State and the kind of work.

The starting point is a big factor affecting initial salary in forensics, and this will mostly depend on your degree and also in your previous experience, if you have any. 

What to expect from the forensics job market

Probably the best way of getting an idea of what is like finding a job in forensics is looking at real job advertisements. Below we show you a few examples taken from actual job openings. We omit the exact details of the employment and the hiring institution, but the information is real.

Examples of Job Advertisements (click for details)

•     Forensic scientist - Entry level
•     Criminalist (Multiple level openings)
•     Digital forensic specialist
•     Forensic photographer - Entry level
•     Crime scene investigator