What is the average Digital Forensics Analyst salary in the US?

The national median Digital Forensics Analyst salary is $98,000 per year. Entry-level positions start around $75,000, while senior professionals earn $162,000 or more.

Which city pays Digital Forensics Analysts the most?

New York City offers the highest median Digital Forensics Analyst salary at $183K per year among the cities we track. However, high-cost cities like San Francisco and New York often have lower purchasing power once cost of living is factored in.

How fast are Digital Forensics Analyst salaries growing?

Digital Forensics Analyst salaries are growing at 7.5% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Cybersecurity30% remote-eligible+7.5% YoY growth

Digital Forensics Analyst Salary
by City (2026)

Investigate cybercrime, recover digital evidence, and support legal proceedings. National median: $98K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$98K

Top 10% earn

$162K

Entry level

$75K

Salary growth

+7.5%/yr

Digital Forensics Analyst salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
New York City, NY	$140K	$183K	$239K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$139K	$181K	$237K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$139K	$181K	$237K	185	11%
Bellevue, WA	$131K	$172K	$224K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$129K	$169K	$220K	172	9.3%
San Francisco, CA	$124K	$162K	$211K	224	9.3%
Yonkers, NY	$124K	$162K	$211K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$124K	$162K	$211K	165	5.75%
Kirkland, WA	$122K	$159K	$207K	162	None ✓
San Jose, CA	$119K	$155K	$202K	210	9.3%
Stamford, CT	$119K	$155K	$202K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$116K	$152K	$198K	155	11%
Santa Ana, CA	$113K	$147K	$192K	150	9.3%
Oakland, CA	$111K	$145K	$189K	185	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$111K	$145K	$189K	148	9.3%
Rockville, MD	$111K	$145K	$189K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$109K	$142K	$186K	145	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$109K	$142K	$186K	145	10.75%
Seattle, WA	$107K	$139K	$182K	150	None ✓
Washington, DC	$105K	$137K	$179K	152	8.5%
Paterson, NJ	$105K	$137K	$179K	140	10.75%
Chula Vista, CA	$103K	$135K	$177K	138	9.3%
Boston, MA	$103K	$135K	$177K	162	5%
Jersey City, NJ	$103K	$135K	$177K	162	10.75%
Edison, NJ	$103K	$135K	$177K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$103K	$135K	$177K	138	None ✓
Los Angeles, CA	$101K	$132K	$173K	163	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$101K	$132K	$173K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$99K	$129K	$169K	155	10.75%
San Diego, CA	$98K	$127K	$166K	148	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$96K	$125K	$164K	155	9.3%
Austin, TX	$92K	$120K	$156K	110	None ✓
Portland, OR	$92K	$120K	$156K	130	9.9%
New Haven, CT	$92K	$120K	$156K	122	6.99%
Nashua, NH	$90K	$118K	$154K	120	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$89K	$116K	$151K	128	9.3%
Riverside, CA	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	4.95%
Tacoma, WA	$89K	$116K	$151K	128	None ✓
Vancouver, WA	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	None ✓
Denver, CO	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	4.55%
Lowell, MA	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$89K	$116K	$151K	118	5.99%
Plano, TX	$86K	$113K	$147K	105	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$86K	$113K	$147K	107	4.95%
Scottsdale, AZ	$86K	$113K	$147K	118	2.5%
Lakewood, CO	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	4.55%
Worcester, MA	$86K	$113K	$147K	120	5%
Ann Arbor, MI	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	4.25%
Salt Lake City, UT	$86K	$113K	$147K	105	4.85%
Baltimore, MD	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	5.75%
Frederick, MD	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$86K	$113K	$147K	115	5.99%
Honolulu, HI	$86K	$113K	$147K	192	11%
Dallas, TX	$84K	$110K	$143K	96	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$84K	$110K	$143K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$84K	$110K	$143K	123	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$84K	$110K	$143K	112	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$84K	$110K	$143K	112	4.55%
Durham, NC	$84K	$110K	$143K	100	4.75%
Cary, NC	$84K	$110K	$143K	112	4.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$84K	$110K	$143K	110	3.07%
Minneapolis, MN	$84K	$110K	$143K	106	6.8%
Aurora, CO	$83K	$108K	$141K	112	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$83K	$108K	$141K	99	5.75%
Raleigh, NC	$83K	$108K	$141K	102	4.75%
Eugene, OR	$83K	$108K	$141K	110	9.9%
Provo, UT	$83K	$108K	$141K	100	4.85%
Hartford, CT	$83K	$108K	$141K	118	6.99%
Anchorage, AK	$83K	$108K	$141K	128	None ✓
Irving, TX	$81K	$106K	$138K	97	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$81K	$106K	$138K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$81K	$106K	$138K	118	None ✓
Chandler, AZ	$81K	$106K	$138K	105	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$81K	$106K	$138K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$81K	$106K	$138K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$81K	$106K	$138K	108	4.55%
St. Paul, MN	$81K	$106K	$138K	104	6.8%
Boise, ID	$81K	$106K	$138K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$81K	$106K	$138K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$79K	$103K	$134K	91	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$79K	$103K	$134K	93	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$79K	$103K	$134K	105	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$79K	$103K	$134K	102	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$79K	$103K	$134K	100	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$79K	$103K	$134K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$79K	$103K	$134K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$79K	$103K	$134K	102	None ✓
Pittsburgh, PA	$79K	$103K	$134K	90	3.07%
Salem, OR	$79K	$103K	$134K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$79K	$103K	$134K	105	None ✓
Reno, NV	$79K	$103K	$134K	108	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$79K	$103K	$134K	105	5.8%
Arlington, TX	$77K	$100K	$131K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$77K	$100K	$131K	91	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$77K	$100K	$131K	102	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$77K	$100K	$131K	100	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$77K	$100K	$131K	88	5%
Missoula, MT	$77K	$100K	$131K	102	6.75%
Denton, TX	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	9.3%
St. Petersburg, FL	$75K	$98K	$128K	105	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	None ✓
Mesa, AZ	$75K	$98K	$128K	98	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	2.5%
Richmond, VA	$75K	$98K	$128K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$75K	$98K	$128K	90	3.99%
Madison, WI	$75K	$98K	$128K	102	5.3%
Rochester, MN	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	4.85%
Charleston, SC	$75K	$98K	$128K	105	6.5%
Overland Park, KS	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	5.7%
Dover, DE	$75K	$98K	$128K	100	6.6%
Albany, NY	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$74K	$96K	$125K	102	4.55%
Virginia Beach, VA	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	5.75%
Kansas City, MO	$74K	$96K	$125K	90	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$74K	$96K	$125K	102	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	4.85%
Orem, UT	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	4.85%
Nampa, ID	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$74K	$96K	$125K	98	7.15%
Cincinnati, OH	$72K	$94K	$123K	88	3.99%
St. Louis, MO	$72K	$94K	$123K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$72K	$94K	$123K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$72K	$94K	$123K	90	5.3%
Fresno, CA	$71K	$93K	$122K	102	9.3%
Bakersfield, CA	$71K	$93K	$122K	95	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$71K	$93K	$122K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$71K	$93K	$122K	93	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$71K	$93K	$122K	95	4.95%
Glendale, AZ	$71K	$93K	$122K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$71K	$93K	$122K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$71K	$93K	$122K	95	5.75%
Detroit, MI	$71K	$93K	$122K	82	4.25%
Allentown, PA	$71K	$93K	$122K	95	3.07%
North Charleston, SC	$71K	$93K	$122K	95	6.5%
San Antonio, TX	$69K	$90K	$118K	87	None ✓
Midland, TX	$69K	$90K	$118K	92	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$69K	$90K	$118K	88	6.85%
Spokane, WA	$69K	$90K	$118K	95	None ✓
Athens, GA	$69K	$90K	$118K	92	5.75%
Duluth, MN	$69K	$90K	$118K	92	6.8%
Louisville, KY	$69K	$90K	$118K	85	5%
Greenville, SC	$69K	$90K	$118K	92	6.5%
Des Moines, IA	$69K	$90K	$118K	88	4.82%
Cheyenne, WY	$69K	$90K	$118K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$68K	$88K	$115K	90	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$68K	$88K	$115K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$68K	$88K	$115K	90	4.95%
Cleveland, OH	$68K	$88K	$115K	82	3.99%
Grand Rapids, MI	$68K	$88K	$115K	90	4.25%
Sterling Heights, MI	$68K	$88K	$115K	90	4.25%
Kenosha, WI	$68K	$88K	$115K	90	5.3%
New Orleans, LA	$68K	$88K	$115K	92	6%
Omaha, NE	$68K	$88K	$115K	88	5.84%
Fargo, ND	$68K	$88K	$115K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$66K	$86K	$113K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$66K	$86K	$113K	92	5.75%
Greensboro, NC	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	4.75%
Memphis, TN	$66K	$86K	$113K	82	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$66K	$86K	$113K	85	None ✓
Chattanooga, TN	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	None ✓
Green Bay, WI	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	5%
Birmingham, AL	$66K	$86K	$113K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$66K	$86K	$113K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$66K	$86K	$113K	88	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$64K	$83K	$109K	84	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	None ✓
Winston-Salem, NC	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	4.75%
Warren, MI	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	4.25%
Independence, MO	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	5.3%
Tulsa, OK	$64K	$83K	$109K	80	4.75%
Lafayette, LA	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	4.82%
Wichita, KS	$64K	$83K	$109K	82	5.7%
Kansas City, KS	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	5.9%
Fayetteville, AR	$64K	$83K	$109K	85	4.9%
El Paso, TX	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	None ✓
Pueblo, CO	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	None ✓
South Bend, IN	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	3.23%
Mobile, AL	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	4.75%
Davenport, IA	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	4.82%
Little Rock, AR	$61K	$80K	$105K	82	4.9%
Lubbock, TX	$60K	$78K	$102K	78	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	5.75%
Akron, OH	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	4.75%
Las Cruces, NM	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$60K	$78K	$102K	80	5%
Abilene, TX	$59K	$76K	$100K	78	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$59K	$76K	$100K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$59K	$76K	$100K	78	3.23%
Shreveport, LA	$59K	$76K	$100K	78	6%
Jackson, MS	$59K	$76K	$100K	78	5%
Charleston, WV	$59K	$76K	$100K	78	6.5%
Laredo, TX	$56K	$74K	$96K	76	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$56K	$74K	$96K	75	None ✓
Fort Smith, AR	$56K	$74K	$96K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$56K	$74K	$96K	75	6.5%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $98K Digital Forensics Analyst salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Digital Forensics Analyst Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Digital Forensics Analyst is $98,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $75,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $128,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Digital Forensics Analysts nationally earn $162,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in CS or Criminal Justice; CFCE/EnCE certification. This role is 30% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Digital Forensics Analyst compensation is growing at 7.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Digital Forensics Analysts significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Digital Forensics Analyst Salaryby City (2026)