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Forensic Scientist Salary in Lynn, MA — 2026

Forensic Scientist salary data for Lynn, MA — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.

The median Forensic Scientist salary in Lynn, MA is $81,765 per year ($6,814/month, $39/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 118.5, which is 19% above the national average.

Entry Level
$55K
$26/hr
Median
$82K
$39/hr
Senior
$110K
$53/hr
Top Earner
$132K
$63/hr

Forensic Scientist Take-Home Pay in Lynn

Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)

Gross Annual$81,765
Federal Tax-$9,158
State Tax (5.0%)-$4,088
FICA (SS + Medicare)-$6,255
Annual Take-Home$62,263
Monthly Take-Home$5,189

Living Cost Comparison

Median Rent$1,790/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio26.3%
Median Home Price$435,000
Cost of Living Index118.5
City Median Salary$46,915
Forensic Scientist vs City Median+$34,850

Forensic Scientist Requirements

Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
1-3 years
Job Growth
6.0% (2024-2034)

Key Skills

DNA AnalysisToxicologyCrime Scene InvestigationChain of CustodyLab Techniques

Lynn Job Market Overview

Lynn, Massachusetts has a population of 99,989 and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. The top industries are Biotech, Education, Finance. The local job growth rate is 0.5%, and the average commute time is 19 minutes.

Forensic Scientist Salary in Nearby Massachusetts Cities

Salary Percentile Breakdown — Forensic Scientist in Lynn

Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Forensic Scientist in Lynn, MA, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly EquivalentCareer Stage
10th (lowest)$54,510$26/hrEntry-level, < 1 yr exp.
25th$68,138$33/hrJunior, 1-3 yrs exp.
50th (median)$81,765$39/hrMid-career, 1-3 years
75th$110,205$53/hrSenior, 5-10 yrs exp.
90th (top)$131,535$63/hrLead/Principal, 10+ yrs

Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Forensic Scientist compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Lynn's Biotech sector.

5-Year Salary Trajectory

Forensic Scientist salaries in Lynn have grown approximately 13.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:

5 Years Ago
$72,358
Adjusted for Lynn COL
Today (2026)
$81,765
+13.0% vs 5y ago
Projected 2031
$92,394
If growth continues

Year-over-year, an average Forensic Scientist can expect a 15.1% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 5 years in Lynn. Negotiation, certifications (AAFS Certification, ABC Certification), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.

Lynn vs National Average

The national median Forensic Scientist salary is $69,000. In Lynn, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $81,765 is 18.5% above the national figure. This reflects Lynn's cost of living index of 118.5 (higher than the national average of 100).

For Forensic Scientists, this means: rent typically consumes 34.5% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered rent-burdened), and a median home in Lynn costs about 7.0× annual take-home. Homeownership in Lynn on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.

Industry Context: Biotech in Lynn

Lynn's economy is anchored by Biotech, Education, Finance, with 99,989 residents and 3.2% unemployment as of 2026. Forensic Scientists working in the Biotech sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 0.5%, and Forensic Scientist occupations specifically are projected to grow 6.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Methodology & Data Sources

How we calculate Forensic Scientist salaries in Lynn, MA:

  1. Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
  2. Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Lynn index of 118.5 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
  3. Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
  4. Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), MA state income tax of 5.0%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
  5. Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.

Authoritative data sources:

Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Forensic Scientist salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Biotech vs others in Lynn), specific skill set (DNA Analysis, Toxicology, Crime Scene Investigation), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Forensic Scientist salary in Lynn, MA?
The median Forensic Scientist salary in Lynn, MA is $81,765 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 118.5. Entry-level Forensic Scientists earn around $54,510, while senior-level professionals can earn $110,205 or more.
How much does a Forensic Scientist take home in Lynn after taxes?
A Forensic Scientist earning the median salary of $81,765 in Lynn, MA takes home approximately $62,263 per year ($5,189/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 23.9%.
Is Lynn a good city for Forensic Scientists?
Lynn, MA has a cost of living index of 118.5 (above national average). Forensic Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.2% and top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance.
What skills are needed for a Forensic Scientist in Lynn?
Key skills for Forensic Scientists include DNA Analysis, Toxicology, Crime Scene Investigation, Chain of Custody, Lab Techniques. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include AAFS Certification, ABC Certification.
How does Forensic Scientist salary in Lynn compare to the national average?
The national median Forensic Scientist salary is $69,000. In Lynn, the adjusted salary is $81,765, which is 18.5% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Forensic Scientist salary in Lynn, MA?

The median Forensic Scientist salary in Lynn, MA is $81,765 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 118.5. Entry-level Forensic Scientists earn around $54,510, while senior-level professionals can earn $110,205 or more.

How much does a Forensic Scientist take home in Lynn after taxes?

A Forensic Scientist earning the median salary of $81,765 in Lynn, MA takes home approximately $62,263 per year ($5,189/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 23.9%.

Is Lynn a good city for Forensic Scientists?

Lynn, MA has a cost of living index of 118.5 (above national average). Forensic Scientists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.2% and top industries include Biotech, Education, Finance.

What skills are needed for a Forensic Scientist in Lynn?

Key skills for Forensic Scientists include DNA Analysis, Toxicology, Crime Scene Investigation, Chain of Custody, Lab Techniques. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include AAFS Certification, ABC Certification.

How does Forensic Scientist salary in Lynn compare to the national average?

The national median Forensic Scientist salary is $69,000. In Lynn, the adjusted salary is $81,765, which is 18.5% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.