Lab Preparator Salary in the United States

How much does a Lab Preparator make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Preparator in the United States is $59,913 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,925
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,517 to $65,677
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,694
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $53,517 10% $47,694 90% $70,925 75% $65,677 $59,913 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lab Preparator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $65,677 $5,473 $1,263 $32
Average $59,913 $4,993 $1,152 $29
25th Percentile $53,517 $4,460 $1,029 $26
Check out Lab Preparator Job Openings in the United States
Occupational Therapist OT

NHC HealthCare Scott - LAWRENCEBURG, TN

Customer Service Representative

Senci Power USA Inc. - OLIVE BRANCH, MS

Travel OT

Focus Staff - RAPID CITY, SD

Travel OT

Focus Staff - WINNER, SD

Search More Lab Preparator Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Lab Preparator Salaries

A Lab Preparator'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Lab Preparator 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 Lab Preparators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $66,335.
  • California: $66,083.
  • Massachusetts: $65,203.

Top Paying Cities for Lab Preparators

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: $75,568
  • San Francisco: $74,740
  • Oakland: $73,165

What Skills Can Increase a Lab Preparator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 7.44% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Laboratory Equipment (Mentioned in 2.92% Job Postings): Utilizing various tools and equipment to conduct scientific researches, teach practical science, or perform laboratory experiments.
  • Quality Assurance (Mentioned in 1.92% Job Postings): Verifying the adherence of product with required specifications and expectations to track and resolve deficiencies prior to product release.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 7.44%
Laboratory Equipment 2.92%
Quality Assurance 1.92%
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 Lab Preparator's salary.
  • Clinical Research: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Clinical Research
$68,899
15%
Presentation
$66,503
11%
Accountability
$64,106
7%
Collaboration
$64,106
7%
Organizing
$64,106
7%
Data Collection
$63,507
6%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Lab Preparator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lab Preparators enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lab Preparator with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $53,027 and $58,571).

Lab Preparator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lab Preparator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 15.9%
Associates 7.6%
Bachelors 68.8%
Masters 6.8%
Doctorate 0.6%
view as graph

Lab Preparator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Preparator'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 May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Lab Preparator

Salaries for a Lab Preparator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $56,221 in 2023 to around $55,981 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lab Preparator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Lab Preparator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$56,221
2024
$56,192
2025
$55,981
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $56,221
2024 $56,192
2025 $55,981
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Lab Preparator

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

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Lab Preparator

Here are companies hiring for Lab Preparator and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Lab Preparator Job

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

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst