Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Laboratory Assistant in California is $64,000 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.
However, an Entry Laboratory Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
Recruit with AI
Entry Laboratory Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $70,100 | $5,842 | $1,348 | $34 |
| Average | $64,000 | $5,333 | $1,231 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,900 | $4,742 | $1,094 | $27 |
KPC GLOBAL MEDICAL CENTERS INC. - Hemet, CA
Aya Healthcare - Marina Del Rey, CA
Staffing - Santa Rosa, CA
Providence Health & Services - Petaluma, CA
An Entry Laboratory Assistant's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Laboratory Assistant's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Laboratory Assistant | 0-2 years | $63,902 |
| Intermediate Laboratory Assistant | 2-4 years | $77,256 |
| Senior Laboratory Assistant | 4-7 years | $96,817 |
| Expert Laboratory Assistant | 7+ years | $119,961 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Entry Laboratory Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Entry Laboratory Assistant salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,641. While startup companies pay approximate $60,647.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $60,647 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $64,129 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $69,192 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $71,641 |
For Entry Laboratory Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Entry Laboratory Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Laboratory Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $89,600 | $43.0 | 40% |
| Financial Services | $83,200 | $40.0 | 30% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $83,200 | $40.0 | 30% |
| Biotechnology | $76,800 | $37.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $76,800 | $37.0 | 20% |
Understanding how an Entry Laboratory Assistant's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $70,100 | $5,842 | $1,348 | $34 |
| Average | $64,000 | $5,333 | $1,231 | $31 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,900 | $4,742 | $1,094 | $27 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Laboratory Assistant, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Intermediate Research Associate - Biotech | $68,900 | 8% |
| Intermediate Laboratory Assistant | $77,300 | 21% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Entry Laboratory Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
3B Healthcare, Inc.
Willits, CA
3B Healthcare, Inc. | Willits, CA
Phlebotomy Technician. Nestled in the Gateway to the Redwoods, Adventist Health Howard Memorial takes pride in its legacy of providing exceptional, high-qu... more
7 Days Ago
Providence Health & Services
Napa, CA
Providence Health & Services | Napa, CA
Job Title. Lab Assistant II. Job Description. Under the general supervision of the Phlebotomy Supervisor and the Laboratory Manager, the Lab Assistant II p... more
8 Days Ago
Talented Medical Solutions
Templeton, CA
Talented Medical Solutions | Templeton, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. Laboratory Assistant-Clinical Laboratory. Talented Medical Solutions. Contract. In-Office | Templeton, CA, U... more
10 Days Ago
Pinnacle Fertility Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
Pinnacle Fertility Inc. | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Pinnacle Fertility is a leader in physician-centric fertility care, supporting high-performing fertility clinic... more
7 Days Ago
HiredFirst
Templeton, CA
HiredFirst | Templeton, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We have an opening for a Laboratory Assistant to work in a healthcare setting in Templeton, California. EPIC Backfill. Mu... more
7 Days Ago
Stanbridge University
Irvine, CA
Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description:\n\nThe Laboratory Assistant supports the daily operation, readiness, safety, and functionality of Stanbridge University’s... more
8 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
