Education
Bachelor's degreeAverage Salary
$64,321Avg. Experience
1-2 yearsA career path for a criminalist typically starts with obtaining a bachelor's degree in a natural science, such as chemistry, biology, or forensic science. From there, many criminalists gain hands-on experience through internships or apprenticeships before beginning work in a crime lab or other law enforcement agency. As criminalists gain experience, they may be promoted to positions of greater responsibility, such as team leader or supervisor. Some criminalists may also choose to specialize in a particular area of forensic science, such as DNA analysis or ballistics. Opportunities for advancement also include managerial roles, research and development, and education and training.
A Criminalist makes $64,321 per year on average, or $30.92 per hour, in the United States. The bottom 10% make about $48,977 a year, while the top 10% make about $89,856.
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