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The differences between forensic scientists and forensic psychologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a forensic psychologist has an average salary of $83,065, which is higher than the $71,351 average annual salary of a forensic scientist.
The top three skills for a forensic scientist include laboratory equipment, physical evidence and analytical procedures. The most important skills for a forensic psychologist are psychological evaluations, mental illness, and risk assessments.
| Forensic Scientist | Forensic Psychologist | |
| Yearly Salary | $71,351 | $83,065 |
| Hourly rate | $34.30 | $39.94 |
| Growth Rate | 11% | 6% |
| Number Of Jobs | 43,335 | 11,802 |
| Job Satisfaction | - | - |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Average Age | 38 | 47 |
| Years Of Experience | 4 | - |
Forensic scientists work as experts in collecting evidence, analyzing evidence collected at crime scenes, and communicating with law enforcement. They can work as a lab manager and detective. They are responsible for ensuring that tests are performed correctly and ethically without any bias. They obtain evidence at the crime scene, making reports of the findings, examining the evidence in the lab if the evidence collected is relevant or not, and testifying in court. They report to superiors the findings of the analysis.
Forensic Psychologists are responsible for evaluating and treating criminal behavior. Their duties include conducting forensic assessments, developing rehabilitation programs, reviewing offender treatments, carrying out research projects, and carrying out forensic statistical analysis. They are responsible for undertaking expert witness testimonies, assisting in policy development, and creating forensic staff training programs. Forensic Psychologists also facilitate crisis negotiation, interpret psychological tests, and help in the supervision of psychology trainees. They use their expertise in helping improve organizational outcomes.
Forensic scientists and forensic psychologists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Forensic Scientist | Forensic Psychologist | |
| Average Salary | $71,351 | $83,065 |
| Salary Range | Between $45,000 And $112,000 | Between $56,000 And $121,000 |
| Highest Paying City | Lincoln, NE | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest Paying State | Alaska | California |
| Best Paying Company | Alere | Wellpath |
| Best Paying Industry | Health Care | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a forensic scientist and a forensic psychologist in terms of educational background:
| Forensic Scientist | Forensic Psychologist | |
| Most Common Degree | Bachelor's Degree, 80% | Bachelor's Degree, 36% |
| Most Common Major | Biology | Clinical Psychology |
| Most Common College | California State University - Bakersfield | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between forensic scientists' and forensic psychologists' demographics:
| Forensic Scientist | Forensic Psychologist | |
| Average Age | 38 | 47 |
| Gender Ratio | Male, 43.1% Female, 56.9% | Male, 36.7% Female, 63.3% |
| Race Ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 4.2% White, 76.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 20% |