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Laboratory Assistant III Salary in the United States

How much does a Laboratory Assistant III make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Assistant III in the United States is $87,776 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

However, a Laboratory Assistant III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,422
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $79,057 to $96,489
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,119
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Assistant III Salaries

A Laboratory Assistant 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Laboratory Assistant III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Assistant 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 Assistant I (0-2 years): $57,935
  • Laboratory Assistant II (2-4 years): $70,042
  • Laboratory Assistant III (4-7 years): $87,776
  • Laboratory Assistant IV (7+ years): $108,759
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Laboratory Assistant I0-2 years$57,935
Laboratory Assistant II2-4 years$70,042
Laboratory Assistant III4-7 years$87,776
Laboratory Assistant IV7+ years$108,759
View as Graph

How Do Laboratory Assistant IIIs 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 Laboratory Assistant IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $97,186.
  • California: $96,817.
  • Massachusetts: $95,527.

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Assistant III

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: $110,712
  • San Francisco: $109,500
  • Oakland: $107,192

What Skills Can Increase a Laboratory Assistant III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.18% 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.
  • Pathology (Mentioned in 3.11% Job Postings): Analyzing and reviewing the cause, origin, and nature of diseases and illnesses to provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment plans.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 1.97% 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 4.18%
Pathology 3.11%
Patient Care 1.97%
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 Laboratory Assistant III's salary.

  • CPT: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
CPT $95,676
9%
Presentation $93,920
7%
Problem Solving $92,165
5%
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Laboratory Assistant III Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Laboratory Assistant III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $98,255. While startup companies pay approximate $83,177.

Laboratory Assistant III Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $83,177
Growth Stage 51~500 $87,952
Established 501~5000 $94,896
Enterprise 5000+ $98,255

Laboratory Assistant III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laboratory Assistant 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 Assistant positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Assistant III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Assistant III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$105,331$51.020%
Software & Networking$105,331$51.020%
Biotechnology$100,942$49.015%
Financial Services$100,942$49.015%
Aerospace & Defense$96,554$46.010%

How Education impacts an Laboratory Assistant III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laboratory Assistant III 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 Laboratory Assistant III with a Bachelor's Degree is between $86,375 and $95,299.

Laboratory Assistant III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Laboratory Assistant III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.9%
High School 17.6%
Associates 16.7%
Bachelors 40.7%
Masters 22.2%
Doctorate 1.9%
View as Graph

Laboratory Assistant III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laboratory Assistant 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 August 01, 2026
$79,057
Average $87,776/year
$96,489
$6,588
Average $7,315/month
$8,041
$1,520
Average $1,688/week
$1,856
$38
Average $42/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $96,489 $8,041 $1,856 $46
Average $87,776 $7,315 $1,688 $42
25th Percentile $79,057 $6,588 $1,520 $38

Laboratory Assistant III Salary Growth & Career Path

Laboratory Assistant III

Next Role

For a Laboratory Assistant III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Laboratory Assistant IV role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $108,759 - a projected growth of 24% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Laboratory Assistant III

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

Common company salaries for Laboratory Assistant III

Here are companies hiring for Laboratory Assistant III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Laboratory Assistant III

1. Where can a Laboratory Assistant III earn the most?

A Laboratory Assistant III'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 Laboratory Assistant III earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Laboratory Assistant III is $110,712.

2. What is the highest pay for Laboratory Assistant III?

The highest pay for Laboratory Assistant III is $104,422.

3. What is the lowest pay for Laboratory Assistant III?

The lowest pay for Laboratory Assistant III is $71,119.

4. What are the responsibilities of Laboratory Assistant III?

Performs research activities in a laboratory environment to aid in the planning, designing, and conducting of experiments. Collects, prepares, and tests samples and records measurements or observations. Prepares reports detailing results and conclusions, applications, and methodology. Conducts routine maintenance and safety checks on lab equipment to ensure working order. Assists with receipt and inspection of raw materials and the ordering and stocking of materials and equipment. May be responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining cleanrooms and equipment. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Laboratory Assistant III?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Laboratory Assistant III roles, with salaries approximately 20% 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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