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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Technician in California is $81,565 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Laboratory Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Laboratory Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $91,189 | $7,599 | $1,754 | $44 |
| Average | $81,565 | $6,797 | $1,569 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,903 | $6,159 | $1,421 | $36 |
Yosemite Pathology Medical Group - Modesto, CA
Centrillion Technologies, Inc. - Palo Alto, CA
DRT Strategies, Inc. - Palo Alto, CA
Correlia Biosystems Inc - Berkeley, CA
A Laboratory 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Technician'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 |
|---|---|
| Laborator... Level Laboratory Technician | $50,873 |
| Laborator... Level Laboratory Technician | $58,813 |
| Laborator... Level Laboratory Technician | $80,858 |
| Laborator... Level Laboratory Technician | $95,435 |
| Laborator... Level Laboratory Technician | $94,781 |
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 Laboratory 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 Laboratory Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 52% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Laboratory Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $106,035 | $51.0 | 30% |
| Financial Services | $97,878 | $47.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $91,353 | $44.0 | 12% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $91,353 | $44.0 | 12% |
| Energy & Utilities | $89,722 | $43.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Laboratory 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 | $91,189 | $7,599 | $1,754 | $44 |
| Average | $81,565 | $6,797 | $1,569 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,903 | $6,159 | $1,421 | $36 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Laboratory Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Staffing
Los Angeles, CA
Staffing | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. Albertsons is seeking a. QA Laboratory Technician I. to support quality control operations at its Commerce M... more
6 Days Ago
Kelly Services, Inc.
Hayward, CA
Kelly Services, Inc. | Hayward, CA
Kelly Services, Inc. Responsibilities: Laboratory Testing – Perform routine analyses to support manufacturing and ensure product quality. Sample Preparatio... more
6 Days Ago
Eurofins USA Material Sciences
Sunnyvale, CA
Eurofins USA Material Sciences | Sunnyvale, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Description. Eurofins EAG Laboratories has over 40 years experience in engineering and materials testing services... more
7 Days Ago
Vie Del
Fresno, CA
Vie Del | Fresno, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Vie-Del is a major producer of concentrates from grapes and other fruits, brandy, spirits, and wines. We are currently se... more
7 Days Ago
Thermal-Vac
Orange, CA
Thermal-Vac | Orange, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Aerospace Metal Finishing/Coatings. Position Summary. Performs routine laboratory testing and process-control activities ... more
7 Days Ago
Yosemite Pathology & Precision Pathology
Modesto, CA
Yosemite Pathology & Precision Pathology | Modesto, CA
Laboratory Technician. Yosemite Pathology (YP) is a private independent pathologist owned and operated surgical pathology and cytology laboratory based in ... more
8 Days Ago
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