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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Assistant in California is $75,180 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, a Lab Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lab Assistant Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $81,563 | $6,797 | $1,569 | $39 |
| Average | $75,180 | $6,265 | $1,446 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,742 | $5,312 | $1,226 | $31 |
Cedars Sinai - Los Angeles, CA
Merced County Mosquito Abatement District - Merced, CA
Labcorp - Calabasas, CA
CommonSpirit Health - San Luis Obispo, CA
A Lab Assistant'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 Lab Assistants. 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 Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 53% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lab Assistant positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $93,974 | $45.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $90,216 | $43.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $86,457 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $82,698 | $40.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $82,698 | $40.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lab Assistant'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 | $81,563 | $6,797 | $1,569 | $39 |
| Average | $75,180 | $6,265 | $1,446 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,742 | $5,312 | $1,226 | $31 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Assistant job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
CommonSpirit Health
Camarillo, CA
CommonSpirit Health | Camarillo, CA
CommonSpirit Health - - Responsibilities: Prepare samples and maintain specialized laboratory equipment. Perform routine automated testing under supervisio... more
6 Days Ago
Common Spirit Health
San Luis Obispo, CA
Common Spirit Health | San Luis Obispo, CA
Lab Assistant. Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all through its in... more
6 Days Ago
TridentCare
Irvine, CA
TridentCare | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Upon specimen arrival, properly marks the location of testing for each ordered test on the ac... more
8 Days Ago
Alan B. Miller Medical Center
Murrieta, CA
Alan B. Miller Medical Center | Murrieta, CA
Alan B. Miller Medical Center - - Responsibilities: Assist in clinical laboratory tasks. Support phlebotomy procedures. Ensure orientation and competency v... more
8 Days Ago
My Derm Recruiter
Walnut Creek, CA
My Derm Recruiter | Walnut Creek, CA
Full-time Lab Assistant. GSD is a leading and comprehensive medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology and plastic surgery medical group. We specialize in... more
8 Days Ago
Bentley Mills
La Puente, CA
Bentley Mills | La Puente, CA
Job Description. Job Description. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES. Perform various lab tests. Conduct yarn analysis. Shampoo, etc. Cut samples. Maintain carpet. Yarn ... more
4 Days Ago
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