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Laboratory Support Technician IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Laboratory Support Technician IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Support Technician IV in the United States is $84,462 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,657
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,021 to $95,033
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,246

Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Support Technician IV Salaries

A Laboratory Support Technician IV'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 Support Technician IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Support Technician IV'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 Support Technician II (1-3 years): $52,051
  • Laboratory Support Technician III (3-5 years): $71,561
  • Laboratory Support Technician IV (5-7 years): $84,462
  • Laboratory Supervisor (7+ years): $83,883
  • Laboratory Senior Supervisor (7+ years): $98,986
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Laboratory Support Technician II1-3 years$52,051
Laboratory Support Technician III3-5 years$71,561
Laboratory Support Technician IV5-7 years$84,462
Laboratory Supervisor7+ years$83,883
Laboratory Senior Supervisor7+ years$98,986

How Do Laboratory Support Technician IVs 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 Support Technician IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $93,516.
  • California: $93,162.
  • Massachusetts: $91,920.

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Support Technician IV

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: $106,532
  • San Francisco: $105,366
  • Oakland: $103,145

What Skills Can Increase a Laboratory Support Technician IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Active Learning (Mentioned in 4.18% Job Postings): Embracing new knowledge, skills, and industry conventions on a continuing basis.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 3.58% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Purchasing (Mentioned in 1.79% Job Postings): Purchasing refers to a business or organization attempting to acquire goods or services to accomplish its goals. Although there are several organizations that attempt to set standards in the purchasing process, processes can vary greatly between organizations. Typically the word “purchasing” is not used interchangeably with the word “procurement”, since procurement typically includes expediting, supplier quality, and transportation and logistics (T&L) in addition to purchasing.
Skills Demand Percentage
Active Learning 4.18%
Calibration 3.58%
Purchasing 1.79%

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 Support Technician IV's salary.

  • Authenticity: Can increase your salary by up to 69%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 54%.
  • Honesty and Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Authenticity $142,741
69%
Insight $130,071
54%
Honesty and Integrity $108,956
29%

Laboratory Support Technician IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Laboratory Support Technician IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $94,550. While startup companies pay approximate $79,987.

Laboratory Support Technician IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $79,987
Growth Stage 51~500 $84,596
Established 501~5000 $91,305
Enterprise 5000+ $94,550

Laboratory Support Technician IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laboratory Support Technician IV roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 22% above the average. In contrast, Laboratory Support Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Support Technician IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Support Technician IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$103,044$50.022%
Energy & Utilities$97,131$47.015%
Pharmaceuticals$97,131$47.015%
Aerospace & Defense$92,908$45.010%
Financial Services$92,908$45.010%

Laboratory Support Technician IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laboratory Support Technician IV'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
$77,021
Average $84,462/year
$95,033
$6,418
Average $7,039/month
$7,919
$1,481
Average $1,624/week
$1,828
$37
Average $41/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,033 $7,919 $1,828 $46
Average $84,462 $7,039 $1,624 $41
25th Percentile $77,021 $6,418 $1,481 $37

Laboratory Support Technician IV Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Laboratory Support Technician IV, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Laboratory Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $83,883 - a projected growth of -1% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Laboratory Support Technician IV

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

Common company salaries for Laboratory Support Technician IV

Here are companies hiring for Laboratory Support Technician IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Laboratory Support Technician IV

1. Where can a Laboratory Support Technician IV earn the most?

A Laboratory Support Technician IV'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 Support Technician IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Laboratory Support Technician IV is $106,532.

2. What is the highest pay for Laboratory Support Technician IV?

The highest pay for Laboratory Support Technician IV is $104,657.

3. What is the lowest pay for Laboratory Support Technician IV?

The lowest pay for Laboratory Support Technician IV is $70,246.

4. What are the responsibilities of Laboratory Support Technician IV?

Provides routine technical support for laboratory operations. Assembles, configures, and maintains equipment for use in tests and experiments. Responsible for cleaning, disinfecting, and maintaining cleanrooms and equipment. Operates equipment, prepares chemical solutions, and performs analytical tests as assigned. Records test results and maintains records as instructed. Complies with all safety and operational procedures and policies. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor. Independently performs a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors. Has gained full proficiency in a broad range of activities related to the job. Typically requires 5-7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Laboratory Support Technician IV?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Laboratory Support Technician IV roles, with salaries approximately 22% 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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