California Median
$76,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.54
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $62,930
State Rank
#7 of 51
29,210 employed here
How much do Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians make in California?
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in California take home a median of $76,010 annually — roughly $36.54 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $62,930.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,580 while the top 10% make $126,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,700 and $89,480 a year.
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,580 | $22.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,700 | $27.26 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,010 | $36.54 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $89,480 | $43.02 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,870 | $61.00 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary in other states
New York $97,280Oregon $83,010New Hampshire $81,020Massachusetts $79,120Vermont $78,680District of Columbia $76,560Rhode Island $75,780Minnesota $74,440Washington $72,760Illinois $71,950Colorado $70,050Maine $68,690Delaware $68,630New Jersey $68,450Hawaii $66,020Wyoming $65,510Connecticut $65,310Montana $65,190Ohio $63,800Maryland $63,690North Dakota $62,680Arizona $62,530Georgia $62,180Tennessee $62,070Kansas $62,050West Virginia $61,810Michigan $61,260Virginia $61,050Alaska $60,950South Dakota $60,890Kentucky $60,880Wisconsin $60,670North Carolina $60,650Nebraska $60,540Florida $60,510Missouri $60,300Texas $59,290Nevada $57,320Indiana $57,080South Carolina $55,280Louisiana $54,460Iowa $54,260Oklahoma $53,300Pennsylvania $51,680Mississippi $50,640Arkansas $49,670Alabama $49,440Utah $49,090Idaho $47,450New Mexico $47,360
Working as Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in California
Nationally, about 333,000 people work as Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($76,010) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians make in California?
The median Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary in California is $76,010 per year, or about $36.54 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,580 at the entry level to $126,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians about 21% more than the national median of $62,930. California ranks 7th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,010 a year. About 29,210 Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.