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Calibration Technician I Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Calibration Technician I in the United States is $61,007 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $75,620
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $54,663 to $68,656
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,887
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Calibration Technician I Salaries

A 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 Calibration Technician I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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:

  • Calibration Technician I (1-3 years): $61,007
  • Calibration Technician II (3-5 years): $67,585
  • Calibration Technician III (5-7 years): $83,182
  • Calibration Supervisor (7+ years): $109,715
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Calibration Technician I1-3 years$61,007
Calibration Technician II3-5 years$67,585
Calibration Technician III5-7 years$83,182
Calibration Supervisor7+ years$109,715
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How Do Calibration Technician I 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 Calibration Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $67,547.
  • California: $67,291.
  • Massachusetts: $66,394.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $76,948
  • San Francisco: $76,106
  • Oakland: $74,502

What Skills Can Increase a 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.53%
Customer Relationship 1.79%
Laboratory Equipment 0.7%
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 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 $67,108
10%
Process Improvement $65,888
8%
Accountability $64,667
6%
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Calibration Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $68,108. While startup companies pay approximate $57,670.

Calibration Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $57,670
Growth Stage 51~500 $60,979
Established 501~5000 $65,764
Enterprise 5000+ $68,108

Calibration Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 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, Calibration Technician positions in Telecom or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Calibration Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Calibration Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Transportation$91,510$44.050%
Software & Networking$88,460$43.045%
MFG Durable$85,410$41.040%
Pharmaceuticals$82,359$40.035%
Internet$79,309$38.030%

How Education impacts a Calibration Technician I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Calibration Technician I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Calibration Technician I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $57,440 and $61,537.

Calibration Technician I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 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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Calibration Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 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 October 01, 2026
$54,663
Average $61,007/year
$68,656
$4,555
Average $5,084/month
$5,721
$1,051
Average $1,173/week
$1,320
$26
Average $29/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,656 $5,721 $1,320 $33
Average $61,007 $5,084 $1,173 $29
25th Percentile $54,663 $4,555 $1,051 $26

Calibration Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Calibration Technician I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Calibration Technician II $67,585 11%
Precision Tool Inspector, Sr. $77,180 27%
Tool Crib Attendant III $59,714 -2%

Most common benefits for Calibration Technician I

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

Common company salaries for Calibration Technician I

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

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FAQ about Calibration Technician I

1. Where can a Calibration Technician I earn the most?

A Calibration Technician I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Calibration Technician I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Calibration Technician I is $76,948.

2. What is the highest pay for Calibration Technician I?

The highest pay for Calibration Technician I is $75,620.

3. What is the lowest pay for Calibration Technician I?

The lowest pay for Calibration Technician I is $48,887.

4. What are the responsibilities of Calibration Technician I?

Calibrates, maintains, repairs, installs, and troubleshoots instrumentation and equipment used to measure temperature, light, electrical, mechanical, weight, flow, pipette, pressure, and other properties in materials or the environment. Conducts routine inspection and testing to ensure conformance to established calibration standards. Utilizes calibration software and diagnostic tools to identify faults or non-conformance and to track results. Understands industry and quality concepts and standards such as ISO, GMP, NIST. Requires a high school diploma or graduation from a technical or trade school. May require Certified Calibration Technician (CCT) or Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL). Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Calibration Technician I?

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

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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