Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary in California
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in California earn a median of $76,010 a year ($36.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,870 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $62,930. California ranks 7th of 51 states for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians pay. There are 1.6 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $78,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| 25th percentile | $56,700 | $27.26 |
| Median | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| 75th percentile | $89,480 | $43.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,870 | $60.99 |
| Average (mean) | $78,840 | $37.91 |
Half of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,334.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,167.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,923.46 |
| Weekly | $1,461.73 |
| Hourly | $36.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $86,250 | 220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $84,870 | 1,870 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $84,200 | 340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,130 | 5,210 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $83,150 | 2,020 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $83,100 | 80 |
| Redding, CA | $81,220 | 80 |
| Napa, CA | $80,070 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $76,920 | 270 |
| Modesto, CA | $76,110 | 360 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $74,840 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $67,430 | 10,150 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,770 | 2,740 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $63,210 | 360 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,770 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $62,160 | 600 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $62,040 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $61,910 | 1,530 |
| Chico, CA | $59,520 | 170 |
| El Centro, CA | $58,240 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $53,640 | 240 |
| Visalia, CA | $51,500 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $97,280 |
| Oregon | $83,010 |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 |
| Massachusetts | $79,120 |
| Vermont | $78,680 |
| District of Columbia | $76,560 |
| California | $76,010 |
| Rhode Island | $75,780 |
| Minnesota | $74,440 |
| Washington | $72,760 |
See Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Surgical Technologist | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $128,530 | $61.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Dietetic Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Paramedic | $74,590 | $35.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2010. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in California?
The median salary for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in California is $76,010 a year, or $36.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $126,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in California?
The top 10% of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in California earn at least $126,870 a year. The top 25% earn $89,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,580 a year, and a quarter of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn $56,700 or less.
How many clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in California?
About 29,210 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.