Texas / Department of Public Safety / Forensic Scientist V

Job-title file

Forensic Scientist V

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

22 employees hold this title in Department of Public Safety. Median total compensation for the role is $98,265, above the department median of $68,978.

Employees: 22
Total payroll: $2.2M
Role median: $98,265
Agency median: $68,978
Comparison: Above

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$92,008$98,265+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 22 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compared with the local labor market

Forensic Scientist V pay vs. Texas

Across all employers in Texas, the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians — about 1,900 people — is $59,870. Department of Public Safety pays a median base salary of $78,318 for this role, 31% above that figure — about the 85th percentile of local pay for the occupation.

Where Department of Public Safety sits in the local pay range

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$42,430

$49,460

$59,870

$70,130

$82,640

Department of Public Safety median · $78,318

The bar is the range of annual wages for Forensic Science Technicians across every employer in Texas, from the 10th to the 90th percentile, with the middle 50% highlighted. The marker shows Department of Public Safety’s median base salary for this role. Both figures are base pay only.

And across the country

Nationwide, the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians — about 19,120 people — is $72,060. Department of Public Safety’s median base salary is 9% above that national figure, about the 57th percentile of pay for the occupation nationally.

10th

25th

Median

75th

90th

$48,250

$57,830

$72,060

$94,520

$117,250

Department of Public Safety median · $78,318

Local and national wages differ for reasons beyond how well a job pays — cost of living, the mix of employers, and local demand for the occupation all move the Texas range relative to the national one.

Median total compensation for this role at Department of Public Safety is $78,318, which includes overtime and employer-paid benefits. The benchmark above excludes both, so total compensation is deliberately not compared against it.

Benchmark: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) covers all employers in the area — private, non-profit, and government alike — so this is a comparison against the whole local labor market for the occupation, not against private-sector pay. OEWS wages are straight-time pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials, and employer-paid benefits, so the government figure shown here is base pay on the same basis. Total compensation is not comparable to it. Job titles are matched to the closest standard occupation, so the comparison is between similar work rather than an identical job classification.

Compare jurisdictions

Forensic Scientist beyond Texas

This role is reported in 13 jurisdictions. In Texas, the median of $78,318 ranks #5 of 13. See Forensic Scientist across all of Texas →

Highest-paying jurisdictions for this role

District of Columbia

$104,168 · 10

Minnesota

$80,922 · 146

City of Baltimore

$80,420 · 200

City of Salt Lake City

$78,561 · 5

Illinois

$76,900 · 146

Missouri

$76,117 · 55

Johnson County, Kansas

$73,681 · 12

Arkansas

$71,027 · 77

Median total compensation for comparable Forensic Scientist roles in other jurisdictions. Titles are matched by normalized name across sources, not identical job classification, and pay is not cost-of-living adjusted. Each bar links to that jurisdiction’s page for the role.

Same department

Other job titles in Department of Public Safety

Accounting Technician II 31
Administrative Assistant III 207
Administrative Assistant IV 167
Administrative Assistant V 32
Attorney II 31
Captain, Department of Public Safety 92
Clerk III 24
Corporal 350
Crime Laboratory Specialist II 99
Criminal Intelligence Analyst I 162
Criminal Intelligence Analyst II 31
Custodian IV 55
Customer Service Representative II 30
Director III 25
Director V 25
Director VIII 24
Forensic Scientist I 49
Forensic Scientist II 115
Forensic Scientist III 126
Forensic Scientist IV 63
Forensic Scientist VI 65
Inspector III 137
Investigator II 38
Investigator III 94
Investigator IV 84
IT Support Specialist IV 27
License and Permit Specialist I 377
License and Permit Specialist II 1,593
License and Permit Specialist III 572
License and Permit Specialist IV 209
Lieutenant, Department of Public Safety 287
Maintenance Specialist III 31
Major, Department of Public Safety 45
Manager I 68
Manager IV 39
Manager V 127
Manager VI 26
Manager VII 38
Pilot Investigator II 32
Police Communications Oper V 65
Police Communications Oper VI 43
Police Communications Oper VII 27
Probationary Trooper 259
Program Management Specialist II 22
Program Specialist I 21
Program Specialist IV 28
Program Specialist V 39
Program Specialist VI 27
Program Specialist VII 29
Program Supervisor IV 212
Program Supervisor V 60
Security Officer III 31
Security Officer IV 30
Sergeant, Department of Public Safety 1,439
Systems Analyst V 42
Systems Analyst VI 26
Training and Development Specialist IV 22
Trooper 2,166
Trooper Trainee 141

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Carlos Vela

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Apr 23, 2007
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 68068

Carlos Vela works as a Forensic Scientist V for Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Carlos earned $98,265 in 2026.

Dana Paris

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Aug 1, 2017
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 91774

At Department of Public Safety, Dana Paris serves as a Forensic Scientist V. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $98,265.

Ryan Mudd

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Dec 31, 2007
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 109553

Ryan Mudd holds the role of Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $98,265.

Serena Zboril

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: May 1, 2008
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 6539

Serena Zboril is a Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $98,265.

Diana Salas

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: D

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Sep 15, 2010
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 32558

Diana Salas is a Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $98,265.

Shane Windsor

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: G

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Mar 24, 2008
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 33175

Shane Windsor works as a Forensic Scientist V for Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Shane earned $98,265 in 2026.

Marjorie Robison

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Jun 1, 2009
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 39702

Marjorie Robison works as a Forensic Scientist V for Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Marjorie earned $98,265 in 2026.

Brian Kivlighn

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Feb 4, 2008
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 40233

Brian Kivlighn works as a Forensic Scientist V for Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Brian earned $98,265 in 2026.

Sharla Hanke

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: C

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Sep 1, 2007
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 46667

Sharla Hanke holds the role of Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $98,265.

Estela Navejas

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Sep 8, 1997
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 73697

Estela Navejas holds the role of Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $98,265.

Rebecca Shane

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Feb 1, 2009
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 89951

Rebecca Shane works as a Forensic Scientist V for Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Rebecca earned $98,265 in 2026.

Angelina Temple

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: R

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Mar 9, 2009
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 102758

Angelina Temple is a Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $98,265.

Natashya Waring

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Aug 18, 2008
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 121461

At Department of Public Safety, Natashya Waring serves as a Forensic Scientist V. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $98,265.

Cathey Serrano

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Feb 28, 2008
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 141179

Cathey Serrano works as a Forensic Scientist V for Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Cathey earned $98,265 in 2026.

Daniel Hauser

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Mar 12, 2007
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 147978

Daniel Hauser works as a Forensic Scientist V for Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. Daniel earned $98,265 in 2026.

Tarig Alkhazin

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Sep 1, 2007
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 151468

At Department of Public Safety, Tarig Alkhazin serves as a Forensic Scientist V. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $98,265.

Robert Meade

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: M

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: May 15, 2006
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 153983

At Department of Public Safety, Robert Meade serves as a Forensic Scientist V. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $98,265.

Jeffrey Keverline

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Jan 8, 2008
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 170455

Jeffrey Keverline is a Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $98,265.

Karen Collins

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Jul 1, 2012
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 338634

Karen Collins holds the role of Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $98,265.

Shauna Joseph

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: L

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Oct 14, 2013
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 340857

Shauna Joseph is a Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. They work crf - classified regular full-time. 2026 total compensation came to $98,265.

Sarah Pryor

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$98,265

Base pay: $98,265
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $98,265
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: J

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Nov 14, 2005
Monthly Pay: $8,189
State Employee Number: 42505

Sarah Pryor holds the role of Forensic Scientist V at Department of Public Safety. Their status is crf - classified regular full-time. In 2026, their total compensation was $98,265.

Cheryl Szkudlarek

Forensic Scientist V/Department of Public Safety

2026 total comp

$92,008

Base pay: $92,008
Overtime: $0
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $92,008
Employment type: Crf - Classified Regular Full-Time
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Middle name: A

Source-specific fields

Class Code: 6056
Hire Date: Dec 2, 2013
Monthly Pay: $7,667
State Employee Number: 516769

At Department of Public Safety, Cheryl Szkudlarek serves as a Forensic Scientist V. They work crf - classified regular full-time. Their 2026 pay totaled $92,008.