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Lab Operations Support Technician III Salary in the United States

How much does a Lab Operations Support Technician III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Operations Support Technician III in the United States is $71,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Lab Operations Support Technician III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $87,648
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $64,800 to $80,000
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $58,609
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lab Operations Support Technician III Salaries

A Lab Operations Support Technician III'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.

How Experience Level Affects Lab Operations Support Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Operations Support Technician III'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:

  • Laboratory Glasswasher (0-1 years): $45,028
  • Lab Operations Support Technician II (1-3 years): $52,056
  • Lab Operations Support Technician III (3-5 years): $71,583
  • Lab Operations Support Technician IV (5-7 years): $84,485
  • Clinical Laboratory Supervisor (7+ years): $95,029
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Laboratory Glasswasher0-1 years$45,028
Lab Operations Support Technician II1-3 years$52,056
Lab Operations Support Technician III3-5 years$71,583
Lab Operations Support Technician IV5-7 years$84,485
Clinical Laboratory Supervisor7+ years$95,029
View as Graph

How Do Lab Operations Support Technician III Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Lab Operations Support Technician IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $79,300.
  • California: $79,000.
  • Massachusetts: $78,000.

Top Paying Cities for Lab Operations Support Technician IIIs

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: $90,300
  • San Francisco: $89,300
  • Oakland: $87,500

What Skills Can Increase a Lab Operations Support Technician III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.32% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 3.27% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Medical Laboratory (Mentioned in 2.04% Job Postings): Testing and analyzing medical and clinical specimens to help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.32%
SOP 3.27%
Medical Laboratory 2.04%
See More Skills

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 Lab Operations Support Technician III's salary.

  • Standard Operating Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Standard Operating Procedures $75,896
6%
Process Improvement $75,896
6%
Flexibility $75,180
5%
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Lab Operations Support Technician III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Lab Operations Support Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $80,016. While startup companies pay approximate $67,685.

Lab Operations Support Technician III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $67,685
Growth Stage 51~500 $71,584
Established 501~5000 $77,266
Enterprise 5000+ $80,016

Lab Operations Support Technician III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Operations Support Technician III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 52% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Lab Operations Support Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Operations Support Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Operations Support Technician III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Internet$93,080$45.030%
Financial Services$85,920$41.020%
Aerospace & Defense$80,192$39.012%
Pharmaceuticals$80,192$39.012%
Energy & Utilities$78,760$38.010%

Lab Operations Support Technician III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Operations Support Technician III'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 September 01, 2026
$64,800
Average $71,600/year
$80,000
$5,400
Average $5,967/month
$6,667
$1,246
Average $1,377/week
$1,538
$31
Average $34/hour
$38
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,000 $6,667 $1,538 $38
Average $71,600 $5,967 $1,377 $34
25th Percentile $64,800 $5,400 $1,246 $31

Lab Operations Support Technician III Salary Growth & Career Path

Lab Operations Support Technician III

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Advancement

For a Lab Operations Support Technician III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Lab Operations Support Technician IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $84,500 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Lab Operations Support Technician III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Lab Operations Support Technician III

Here are companies hiring for Lab Operations Support Technician III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lab Operations Support Technician III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lab Operations Support Technician III?

The Internet industry offers the highest average compensation for Lab Operations Support Technician III roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the highest salary of a lab technician?

The highest salary that a Lab Operations Support Technician can earn is $75,400 per year (approximately $6,283 per month). This position typically offers a salary range from a minimum of $57,000 to a maximum of $75,400, with a mid-level salary of $65,300. Top-paying industries for this role often include pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and healthcare.

3. How do I become an operations technician?

To become an operations technician, you typically need a technical degree, professional certification, or relevant experience in equipment maintenance. Salaries for Lab Operations Support Technicians range from $57,000 to $75,400, with a median salary of $65,300, reflecting the demand and expertise required in this field.

4. What is the difference between IT technician and IT support technician?

An IT support technician acts as a personal assistant for technology, ensuring long-term security and effective communication with users. In contrast, an IT technician is akin to a doctor for tech, addressing immediate issues and troubleshooting problems. The salary for a Lab Operations Support Technician ranges from $57,000 to $75,400, with a midpoint of $65,300.

5. What is the average salary for a lab support technician?

The average salary for a Lab Operations Support Technician ranges from $57,000 to $75,400, with a midpoint of $65,300. This indicates a competitive salary structure in the field, reflecting the importance of lab support roles in various industries.

6. How much do operation technicians make an hour?

Operation technicians typically earn an annual salary ranging from $57,000 to $75,400, with a median salary of $65,300. To convert this to an hourly wage, you can divide the annual salary by the number of working hours in a year, which is approximately 2,080 hours. This results in an hourly wage between about $27.40 and $36.25, with a median of around $31.35.

7. Why become a lab technician?

Becoming a lab technician offers a unique blend of science, technology, and healthcare. Medical lab technicians utilize advanced equipment to analyze human samples for diagnosis. With a salary range from $57,000 to $75,400, this career not only fulfills a passion for these fields but also provides a competitive income, making it an attractive option for many.

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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