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Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I in the United States is $61,013 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,609
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,663 to $68,653
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,882
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View as table View as graph 25% $54,663 10% $48,882 90% $75,609 75% $68,653 $61,013 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $68,653 $5,721 $1,320 $33
Average $61,013 $5,084 $1,173 $29
25th Percentile $54,663 $4,555 $1,051 $26
Check out Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salaries

A Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I'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, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Instrumentation/Calibration Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I'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:

  • Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I (1-3 years): $60,992
  • Intermediate Calibration Technician (3-5 years): $67,562
  • Senior Calibration Technician (5-7 years): $83,162
  • Instrumentation/Calibration Supervisor (7+ years): $109,688
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I1-3 years$60,992
Intermediate Calibration Technician3-5 years$67,562
Senior Calibration Technician5-7 years$83,162
Instrumentation/Calibration Supervisor7+ years$109,688
$60,992 Instrumen...
$67,562 Intermedi...
$83,162 Senior Ca...
$109,688 Instrumen...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician Is

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:

  • San Jose: $76,943
  • San Francisco: $76,103
  • Oakland: $74,503

What Skills Can Increase a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.53% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Customer Relationship (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Customer relations is the company-wide process of nurturing positive relationships with your customers . It helps you connect with your customers on a much more personal level and create a sense of mutual understanding with them.
  • Laboratory Equipment (Mentioned in 0.7% Job Postings): Utilizing various tools and equipment to conduct scientific researches, teach practical science, or perform laboratory experiments.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.53%
Customer Relationship 1.79%
Laboratory Equipment 0.7%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I's salary.
  • Pneumatics: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Pneumatics
$67,114
10%
Process Improvement
$65,894
8%
Accountability
$64,674
6%
Analysis
$64,674
6%
Consulting
$64,064
5%
Resource Management
$64,064
5%
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Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,301. While startup companies pay approximate $57,781.

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$57,781
Growth Stage51~500$61,110
Established501~5000$65,956
Enterprise5000+$68,301

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Transportation and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Instrumentation/Calibration Technician positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Transportation$91,520$44.050%
Software & Networking$88,469$43.045%
MFG Durable$85,418$41.040%
Pharmaceuticals$82,368$40.035%
Internet$79,317$38.030%

How Education impacts a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Instrumentation/Calibration Technician Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $54,924 and $59,086).

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 3.1%
High School 56.3%
Associates 21.9%
Bachelors 18.8%
Masters 0.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I'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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I, 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.

Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Intermediate Calibration Technician $67,570 11%
Precision Instrument Technician, Sr. $77,200 27%
Tool Crib Clerk III $59,800 -2%

Salary Trends for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I

Salaries for a Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $49,102 in 2023 to around $48,719 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$49,102
2024
$49,070
2025
$48,719
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $49,102
2024 $49,070
2025 $48,719
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Payments Engineering. About the Company. Globally-recognized provider of corporate payment solutions. Industry. Financial Services. Type. P... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Senior Vice President of Project Delivery. About the Company. A multi-billion-dollar construction organization with collaborative, servant-minded leadershi... more

    21 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Chief of Staff. About the Company. Innovative travel platform for booking & managing work trips. Industry. Computer Software. Type. Privately Held, VC-back... more

    21 Days Ago

  • McDonalds

    Columbus, OH

    McDonalds | Columbus, OH

    McDonald’s is seeking Crew Team Members to assist with daily restaurant operations including customer service, food preparation, and maintaining restaurant... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Amazon Flex

    Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex | Columbus, OH

    Amazon Flex Delivery Drivers use their own vehicle to deliver Amazon packages to customers on scheduled delivery blocks. Drivers are responsible for pickin... more

    28 Days Ago

  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Commercial. About the Company. Globally-recognized manufacturer of packaging components & delivery systems for injectable drugs. Industry. ... more

    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I?

The Transportation industry offers the highest average compensation for Instrumentation/Calibration Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

2. What is the highest paid technician?

The highest paid technician roles typically include positions like Lab Engineer, with salaries ranging from $76,500 to $125,000 per year. In contrast, an Instrumentation/Calibration Technician has a salary range of approximately $53,973 to $70,133, with a mid-salary of $61,083. While they earn well, other engineering technician roles can offer significantly higher compensation.

3. Can technicians make 100k?

Pay will vary based on ability and experience, but the typical salary range for Instrumentation/Calibration Technicians is between $53,973 and $70,133 per year, with a mid-salary of $61,083. While some highly experienced technicians may approach or exceed $100k, it is not the standard starting salary for this role.

4. What is the highest paying field in tech?

The highest paying field in tech varies, but roles like Cloud Architect, DevOps Engineer, and Data Scientist are among the top. For specialized positions like Instrumentation/Calibration Technician, salaries range from $53,973 to $70,133, with a median of $61,083, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this area.

5. How much do US techs make an hour?

The average salary for an Instrumentation/Calibration Technician in the U.S. ranges from $53,973 to $70,133 annually, with a midpoint of $61,083. This translates to an hourly wage of approximately $25.95 to $33.65, depending on experience and location.

6. What state pays IT technicians the most?

The salary for Instrumentation/Calibration Technicians varies, with a minimum of $53,973, a mid-range of $61,083, and a maximum of $70,133. While states like California and Washington offer high salaries for tech workers, specific data for Instrumentation/Calibration Technicians may differ. Always consider local demand and cost of living when evaluating salaries.

7. How much do instrument technicians make in the US?

Instrumentation/Calibration Technicians in the US earn between $53,973 and $70,133, with a median salary of $61,083. This range indicates that salaries below $53,973 are considered outliers, while those above $70,133 represent the higher end of the pay scale.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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