Laboratory Tech Salary in the United States

How much does a Laboratory Tech make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Tech in the United States is $68,909 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,299
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,735 to $76,441
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $55,203
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,735 10% $55,203 90% $83,299 75% $76,441 $68,909 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Laboratory Tech Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $76,441 $6,370 $1,470 $37
Average $68,909 $5,742 $1,325 $33
25th Percentile $61,735 $5,145 $1,187 $30
Check out Laboratory Tech Job Openings in the United States
Laboratory

Reliant Staffing Solutions - Toledo, OH

Lab Tech Assistant

Memorial Health - Marysville, OH

Temp

Concentric Healthcare Staffing - Bellefontaine, OH

Travel CT Tech

Focus Staff - ASHEVILLE, NC

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Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Tech Salaries

A Laboratory Tech'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 Tech Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Tech'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $44,334
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,249
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,404
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $83,104
  • Expert (over 8 years): $82,609
Levels Salary
Laborator... Level Laboratory Tech$44,334
Laborator... Level Laboratory Tech$51,249
Laborator... Level Laboratory Tech$70,404
Laborator... Level Laboratory Tech$83,104
Laborator... Level Laboratory Tech$82,609
$44,334 0 yr
$51,249 < 2 yrs
$70,404 2-4 yrs
$83,104 5-8 yrs
$82,609 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Teches

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: $86,915
  • San Francisco: $86,061
  • Oakland: $84,152

What Skills Can Increase a Laboratory Tech's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.32% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • SOP (Mentioned in 3.27% Job Postings): SOP is A standard operating procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.
  • Medical Laboratory (Mentioned in 2.04% Job Postings): Testing and analyzing medical and clinical specimens to help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.32%
SOP 3.27%
Medical Laboratory 2.04%
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 Tech's salary.
  • Standard Operating Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Standard Operating Procedures
$73,044
6%
Process Improvement
$73,044
6%
Flexibility
$72,355
5%
Organizational Skills
$72,355
5%
Quality Control
$71,666
4%
Microbiology
$70,976
3%
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Laboratory Tech Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laboratory Tech'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Laboratory Tech

Salaries for a Laboratory Tech can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $47,673 in 2023 to around $47,308 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Laboratory Tech salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Laboratory Tech Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$47,673
2024
$47,803
2025
$47,308
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $47,673
2024 $47,803
2025 $47,308
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Laboratory Tech

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Laboratory Tech

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

Find Your Next Laboratory Tech Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Laboratory Tech job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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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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