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The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Autopsy Technician around the country.
What We Do
An autopsy technician is responsible for providing assistance to criminal investigations by analyzing dead bodies and tissues for indications of foul play. An autopsy technician is a type of forensic science technician who has specialized specifically in laboratory analysis. Some, by contrast, specialize in crime scene investigation. A large part of the job of an autopsy technician is report writing.
Work Environment
Around 88% of all forensic lab technicians, including autopsy technicians, work in local and state government. This includes crime laboratories, police offices and departments, coroner’s offices, medical examiner’s offices, and morgues.
How to Become a Autopsy Technician
Generally speaking, autopsy technicians need to have a bachelor’s degree as a minimum, usually in a natural science such as biology, chemistry, or even forensic science. Because autopsy technicians have chosen to work in laboratories rather than investigating crime scenes, they will receive on the job training after completing their bachelor’s specific to that field. During the bachelor’s program, prospective autopsy technicians learn about forensic science, DNA, pathology, and more. The program should be listed with the American Academy of Forensic Science as well. Autopsy technicians usually work very closely with the police, and many start their career as sworn police officers. Others, on the other hand, are non-uniformed and end up moving into the police force.
Training & Certification Requirements
There are a number of certifications and licenses available that can help in the professional development of autopsy technicians. They are, most of the time, not mandatory, but they are desirable and make someone more likely to find a job. Additionally, it demonstrates that people are committed to their own professional standards.
Autopsy Technician Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Autopsy Technician.
| Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Coroner Technician | $40,000 |
| Autopsy Technician | $40,000 |
| Senior Coroner Technician | $45,000 |
| Forensic Autopsy Technician | $42,000 |
| Anatomic Pathology Technician | $50,000 |
| Forensic Technician | $35,000 |
| Medical Investigator | $53,000 |
| Medicolegal Death Investigator | $37,000 |
| Histopathology Technician | $46,000 |
Autopsy Technician Earning Potential
Forensic science technicians had a median salary of $56,320 per year as of May 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Autopsy technicians usually fall within that median range.
Autopsy Technician Job Outlook
According to the BLS, all forensic science technicians can expect a growth in demand of 27% by 2024. This is much faster than the national average for most other professions. One of the reasons for this substantial growth is that there are significant advances in science that make it more likely for crimes to be solved after they have been committed. Unfortunately, growth may also become more stagnant as many police forces and other departments have to implement a lot of budget cuts, which makes it more difficult for them to hire more staff.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Autopsy Technician was $41,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide are 29% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Autopsy Technician Salary by State
The following lists Autopsy Technician salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $51,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $25,000.
| Alaska – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Alabama – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Arkansas – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Arizona – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| California – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kaiser Permanente, County of Contra Costa, California, Regional Pathology and Autopsy Services, Inc., and Orange County Water District. | |||||||||||
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| Colorado – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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| Connecticut – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lawrence & Memorial Hospital. | |||||||||||
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| DC – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVPath Institute,Inc. and National Institute of Mental Health. | |||||||||||
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| Delaware – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nemours. | |||||||||||
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| Florida – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CC Florida Weston and Coherent Staffing Solutions. | |||||||||||
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| Georgia – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Hawaii – $25,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Castle Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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| Iowa – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mercy Sioux City, Lab – Histology Mercy Medical Cent-East Campus, and Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. | |||||||||||
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| Idaho – $27,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Illinois – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Advocate Health Care, Northwestern Medicine, Sinai Health System, and Clinical Management Consultants. | |||||||||||
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| Indiana – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parkview Regional Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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| Kansas – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Kentucky – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Louisiana – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Louisiana State Government. | |||||||||||
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| Massachusetts – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH), Brigham & Women's Hospital(BWH), Tufts Medical Center, and UMass Memorial Medical Group. | |||||||||||
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| Maryland – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Baltimore Washington Medical Center, CVPath Institute,Inc., JOHNS HOPKINS HEALTH SYSTEM, and National Institute of Mental Health. | |||||||||||
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| Maine – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Michigan – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Munson Healthcare. | |||||||||||
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| Minnesota – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Favorite Healthcare Staffing and Lab Support. | |||||||||||
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| Missouri – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Mississippi – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Montana – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| North Carolina – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Duke University and Duke University Health System and Grace Federal Solutions LLC. | |||||||||||
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| North Dakota – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sanford Health. | |||||||||||
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| Nebraska – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| New Hampshire – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Elliot Hospital. | |||||||||||
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| New Jersey – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Morristown Pathology Associates and Apidel Technologies. | |||||||||||
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| New Mexico – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Nevada – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Renown Regional Medical Center. | |||||||||||
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| New York – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mount Sinai Health System, Good Samaritan, DEPT OF HEALTH/MENTAL HYGIENE, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. | |||||||||||
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| Ohio – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UC Health, Kettering Health Network, Mount Carmel Health, and Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. | |||||||||||
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| Oklahoma – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Venesco LLC. | |||||||||||
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| Oregon – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Pennsylvania – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WellSpan Health Services, Main Line Health, and University of Pennsylvania Health System. | |||||||||||
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| Rhode Island – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| South Carolina – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Palmetto Health Tuomey, Sumter, SC. | |||||||||||
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| South Dakota – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Tennessee – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Texas – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Parkland Hospital and Dallas County, TX. | |||||||||||
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| Utah – $32,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Virginia – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mary Washington Healthcare. | |||||||||||
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| Vermont – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Washington – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Washington Medical Center, University of Washington, and SightLife. | |||||||||||
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| Wisconsin – $36,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| West Virginia – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Wyoming – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
| Average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Autopsy Technician salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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