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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Scientist in California is $111,390 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $54.
However, a Lab Scientist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lab Scientist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $125,302 | $10,442 | $2,410 | $60 |
| Average | $111,390 | $9,282 | $2,142 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,724 | $8,060 | $1,860 | $47 |
Hired by Matrix - Mountain Mesa, CA
Stanford Health Care - Palo Alto, CA
Universal Health Services - Corona, CA
Salinas Valley Health - Salinas, CA
A Lab Scientist'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 Lab Scientist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical ... Level Lab Scientist | $69,643 |
| Clinical ... Level Lab Scientist | $80,586 |
| Lab Scien... Level Lab Scientist | $114,446 |
| Clinical ... Level Lab Scientist | $123,633 |
| Clinical ... Level Lab Scientist | $184,063 |
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 Lab Scientists. 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:
For Lab Scientist 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 Healthcare and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lab Scientist positions in Pharmaceuticals or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Scientist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $167,085 | $80.0 | 50% |
| Biotechnology | $133,668 | $64.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Lab Scientist'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 | $125,302 | $10,442 | $2,410 | $60 |
| Average | $111,390 | $9,282 | $2,142 | $54 |
| 25th Percentile | $96,724 | $8,060 | $1,860 | $47 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Scientist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Welltech Partners
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