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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Instrumentation Technician in California is $70,457 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.
However, an Instrumentation Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Instrumentation Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $83,875 | $6,990 | $1,613 | $40 |
| Average | $70,457 | $5,871 | $1,355 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,353 | $5,446 | $1,257 | $31 |
Atlantica - Hinkley, CA
Government Jobs - San Diego, CA
Government Jobs - Carson, CA
Drax - BROOKHAVEN, MS
An Instrumentation Technician'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.
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 Instrumentation Technicians. 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 Instrumentation Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 30% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Instrumentation Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Instrumentation Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $81,026 | $39.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $78,912 | $38.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $78,207 | $38.0 | 11% |
| Insurance | $77,503 | $37.0 | 10% |
| Biotechnology | $76,094 | $37.0 | 8% |
Understanding how an Instrumentation Technician'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 | $83,875 | $6,990 | $1,613 | $40 |
| Average | $70,457 | $5,871 | $1,355 | $34 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,353 | $5,446 | $1,257 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Instrumentation Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Drax
WASHINGTON, MS
Drax | WASHINGTON, MS
Drax Group plc is seeking a skilled Electrical & Instrumentation Technician to join our dynamic team within the engineering and maintenance department. As ... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
PINCKNEYVILLE, MS
Drax | PINCKNEYVILLE, MS
Drax Group plc is seeking a skilled Electrical & Instrumentation Technician to join our dynamic team within the engineering and maintenance department. As ... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
SMITHDALE, MS
Drax | SMITHDALE, MS
Drax Group plc is seeking a skilled Electrical & Instrumentation Technician to join our dynamic team within the engineering and maintenance department. As ... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
CRAWFORD, MS
Drax | CRAWFORD, MS
Drax is seeking an Electrical & Instrumentation Technician to support reliable, safe operation of our renewable biomass and power generation assets. In thi... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
NATCHEZ, MS
Drax | NATCHEZ, MS
Drax Group plc is seeking a skilled Electrical & Instrumentation Technician to join our dynamic team within the engineering and maintenance department. As ... more
13 Days Ago
Drax
MACON, MS
Drax | MACON, MS
Drax is seeking an Electrical & Instrumentation Technician to support safe, reliable operation of our renewable biomass and power generation assets. You’ll... more
13 Days Ago
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