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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Technician III in Illinois is $89,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.
However, a Laboratory Technician III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Laboratory Technician III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $98,390 | $8,199 | $1,892 | $47 |
| Average | $89,490 | $7,458 | $1,721 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,590 | $6,716 | $1,550 | $39 |
Trusted Health - Belvidere, IL
Eurofins USA Environment Testing - Naperville, IL
Sterling Engineering Inc. - Chicago, IL
Innoved Institute, LLC - Elk Grove Village, IL
A Laboratory 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Laboratory Assistant | 0-2 years | $59,053 |
| Intermediate Laboratory Assistant | 2-4 years | $71,394 |
| Laboratory Technician III | 4-7 years | $89,470 |
| Expert Laboratory Assistant | 7+ years | $110,858 |
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 Laboratory Technician IIIs. 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:
Laboratory Technician III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $100,174. While startup companies pay approximate $84,802.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $84,802 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $89,670 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $96,749 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $100,174 |
For Laboratory Technician III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Laboratory Technician positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $107,388 | $52.0 | 20% |
| Software & Networking | $107,388 | $52.0 | 20% |
| Biotechnology | $102,913 | $49.0 | 15% |
| Financial Services | $102,913 | $49.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $98,439 | $47.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Laboratory 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $98,390 | $8,199 | $1,892 | $47 |
| Average | $89,490 | $7,458 | $1,721 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,590 | $6,716 | $1,550 | $39 |
For a Laboratory Technician III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Expert Laboratory Assistant role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $110,900 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Laboratory Technician III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
HSHS
Springfield, IL
HSHS | Springfield, IL
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BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY
West Chicago, IL
BALL HORTICULTURAL COMPANY | West Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Description. The Media Preparation Technician will play a critical role making high quality plant growth media for Ball H... more
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Alverno Clinical Laboratories
Chicago, IL
Alverno Clinical Laboratories | Chicago, IL
Ascension St. Joseph Chicago. Location: 2900 N. Lakeshore Drive Chicago, IL 60657. Shift: 3:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Will be required to work other shift as part... more
4 Days Ago
Fox Valley Fire & Safety
Elmhurst, IL
Fox Valley Fire & Safety | Elmhurst, IL
Technician III - Sprinkler Test & InspectThe Technician III Sprinkler Test & Inspect is an experienced and highly skilled professional responsible for lead... more
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RADIANCE BIOSCIENCES & CONSULTANCY
Naperville, IL
RADIANCE BIOSCIENCES & CONSULTANCY | Naperville, IL
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