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Lab Support Clerk Salary in the United States

How much does a Lab Support Clerk make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Support Clerk in the United States is $42,600 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,376
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,200 to $45,100
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,194

Key Factors That Influence Lab Support Clerk Salaries

A Lab Support Clerk's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Lab Support Clerk 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 Support Clerks. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $47,100.
  • California: $46,900.
  • Massachusetts: $46,300.

Top Paying Cities for Lab Support Clerks

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: $53,700
  • San Francisco: $53,100
  • Oakland: $52,000

What Skills Can Increase a Lab Support Clerk's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.32% 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.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 2.93% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.34% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.32%
Billing 2.93%
Patient Care 1.34%

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 Support Clerk's salary.

  • Customer Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 42%.
  • Computer Knowledge: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Customer Communications $60,492
42%
Computer Knowledge $49,842
17%
Troubleshooting $49,842
17%

Lab Support Clerk Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Lab Support Clerk salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $47,940. While startup companies pay approximate $40,588.

Lab Support Clerk Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $40,588
Growth Stage 51~500 $42,917
Established 501~5000 $46,301
Enterprise 5000+ $47,940

Lab Support Clerk Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Support Clerk roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Lab Support Clerk positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Support Clerk as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Support Clerk

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$55,380$27.030%
Healthcare$51,120$25.020%
Software & Networking$48,990$24.015%
Chemicals$46,860$23.010%
Business Services$44,730$22.05%

Lab Support Clerk Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Support Clerk'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
$38,200
Average $42,600/year
$45,100
$3,183
Average $3,550/month
$3,758
$735
Average $819/week
$867
$18
Average $20/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $45,100 $3,758 $867 $22
Average $42,600 $3,550 $819 $20
25th Percentile $38,200 $3,183 $735 $18

Lab Support Clerk Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Lab Support Clerk, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Certified MLT I role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $47,600 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Lab Support Clerk

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

Common company salaries for Lab Support Clerk

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

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FAQ about Lab Support Clerk

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lab Support Clerk?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Lab Support Clerk roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What does a laboratory Clerk do?

The Laboratory Office Clerk is responsible for various office tasks, including receiving, processing, reporting, and delivering laboratory test results and other lab reports. The salary for this position ranges from $35,600 to $45,800, with a mid-range salary of $40,200, reflecting the importance of accurate and timely lab operations.

3. Is clerk a good position?

The office clerk position can be quite rewarding, especially for those willing to develop essential skills. While the responsibilities may seem challenging at first, persistence and enthusiasm can lead to success. Additionally, the salary range for a Lab Support Clerk is between $35,600 and $45,800, making it a viable career option.

4. What is the monthly income of a clerk?

The salary range for a Lab Support Clerk is between ₹35,600 and ₹45,800 annually, translating to a monthly income of approximately ₹2,967 to ₹3,817. The average salary is around ₹40,200 per year, or ₹3,350 per month. This role typically requires no prior experience.

5. What is the job called when you work in a lab?

A Lab Support Clerk assists in various tasks within a laboratory setting, supporting the work of medical lab technicians and scientists. The salary for this position typically ranges from $35,600 to $45,800, with a mid-range salary of $40,200, reflecting the importance of their role in maintaining lab operations.

6. Is clerk a dead end job?

While some may view clerk positions as dead-end jobs, the salary range for a Lab Support Clerk is between $35,600 and $45,800, which reflects a decent earning potential. Additionally, clerical roles can offer opportunities for skill development and career advancement, making them more than just a stepping stone in one's professional journey.

7. What is the difference between a lab assistant and a lab technician?

The Laboratory Assistant primarily focuses on obtaining specimens, while the Laboratory Technician dedicates most of their time to preparing specimens and reagents. In terms of compensation, Lab Support Clerks earn between $35,600 and $45,800, with a median salary of $40,200, reflecting the differences in responsibilities and skill levels between these roles.

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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