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Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salary in California

How much does a Laboratory Quality Control Technician I make in California?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Quality Control Technician I in California is $55,311 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $61,818
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,852 to $58,717
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,703
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View as table View as graph 25% $51,852 10% $48,703 90% $61,818 75% $58,717 $55,311 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $58,717 $4,893 $1,129 $28
Average $55,311 $4,609 $1,064 $27
25th Percentile $51,852 $4,321 $997 $25
Check out Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Job Openings in California
Quality Control Technician

Staffmark - Corona, CA

Quality Control Technician

MAPEI Corporation - San Bernardino, CA

Technician

Omni Inclusive - Carlsbad, CA

Quality Control Field Technician

Holliday Rock Co., Inc. - Upland, CA

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Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salaries

A Laboratory Quality Control 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Laboratory Quality Control Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Quality Control 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:

  • Laboratory Quality Control Technician I (0-1 years): $55,311
  • Laboratory Quality Control Technician II (1-3 years): $61,797
  • Laboratory Quality Control Technician III (3-5 years): $68,943
  • Laboratory Quality Control Technician IV (5-7 years): $77,810
  • Laboratory Quality Control Supervisor (7+ years): $90,878
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Laboratory Quality Control Technician I0-1 years$55,311
Laboratory Quality Control Technician II1-3 years$61,797
Laboratory Quality Control Technician III3-5 years$68,943
Laboratory Quality Control Technician IV5-7 years$77,810
Laboratory Quality Control Supervisor7+ years$90,878
$55,311 Laborator...
$61,797 Laborator...
$68,943 Laborator...
$77,810 Laborator...
$90,878 Laborator...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Quality Control 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:

  • Los Angeles: $55,406
  • West Hollywood: $55,366
  • Dodgertown: $55,406

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $61,982. While startup companies pay approximate $52,463.

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$52,463
Growth Stage51~500$55,474
Established501~5000$59,867
Enterprise5000+$61,982

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laboratory Quality Control Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Laboratory Quality Control Technician positions in MFG Nondurable or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Quality Control Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Quality Control Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$71,904$35.030%
Financial Services$69,139$33.025%
Biotechnology$61,948$30.012%
Energy & Utilities$60,842$29.010%
Chemicals$58,077$28.05%

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laboratory Quality Control 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on July 01, 2026
$51,852
Average $55,311/year
$58,717
$4,321
Average $4,609/month
$4,893
$997
Average $1,064/week
$1,129
$25
Average $27/hour
$28
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $58,717 $4,893 $1,129 $28
Average $55,311 $4,609 $1,064 $27
25th Percentile $51,852 $4,321 $997 $25

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Laboratory Quality Control Technician I
Laboratory Quality Control Technician II
Laboratory Quality Control Supervisor

For a Laboratory Quality Control Technician I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Laboratory Quality Control Technician II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $61,797 - a projected growth of 12% over your current level.

Salaries of jobs related to Laboratory Quality Control Technician I

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