How Much Does a Laboratory Technician Make? (2025)

A laboratory technician is mostly responsible for performing technological and diagnostic tasks on body fluid or other samples to help diagnose a patient. Additionally, they are also tasked with conducting research on pharmaceutical techniques to help look for a cure for diseases.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has a negative forecast for the role of laboratory technicians, with a 2% slower than average job outlook. This correlates to Salary'com's data, which suggests that a Laboratory Technician's average yearly salary is $69,990.

Learn more about the salary trend for laboratory technicians, top-paying cities in the US, and some FAQs about the occupation in this salary guide.

What is the Average Laboratory Technician's Salary?

As mentioned above, the salary of a laboratory technician is $69,990 per year. As of October 10, 2025, laboratory technician's salaries range from $51,268 to $81,262, with the majority earning between $60,190 to $75,890.

2025 Laboratory Technician salary: $69,990 ($34 per hour)

A laboratory technician's average monthly salary is $5,833, while the average weekly pay is $1,346. Meanwhile, the salary of a laboratory technician per hour is $34, according to the report.

Laboratory Technician Salaries State by State

The salary for laboratory technicians differs across US states based on factors like minimum wage, job demand, location, and cost of living.

As shown in the table below, the three (3) states with the lowest average annual salary for Laboratory Technicians in the United States are Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas with $62,390, $62,990, and $63,190, respectively.

Meanwhile, the three (3) states with the highest average annual income for laboratory technicians are the District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts with $77,490, $77,190, and $76,190, respectively.

What is the Best-Paying Cities for Laboratory Technician?

Laboratory technicians' salaries also vary by city due to the differences in the standard of living, local demand for occupation, and industry rates in metropolitan areas.

The table below shows that the labor industry in California is offering higher average annual salaries for Laboratory Technicians, specifically in cities like San Jose, San Francisco, and Oakland.

Certain cities such as New York, Queens Village, and Paramus also show signs of increased demand for the role and are considered as few of the highest paying cities for laboratory technicians:

How Does Experience Affect a Laboratory Technician's Salary?

Having more experience gives the laboratory technicians an advantage over their peers, along with having an important role in increasing their salaries.

Salary.com reports that an entry-level laboratory technician earns an average annual income of $67,035. Having 2 more years of experience can increase a laboratory technician's salary to $69,990.

After 2 to 4 years of experience, the salary of laboratory technicians could increase to about $69,990. Specialist and expert-level laboratory technicians can earn up to $72,191 and $73,072, respectively.

How to Increase Salary as a Laboratory Technician?

To be a laboratory technician, an individual has to have a bachelor's degree in medical technology or any other related field to be considered for the role. However, associate degree holders in clinical laboratory science are also welcome to apply.

Below are some of the common skills and advancements needed for a salary raise as a laboratory technician.

Laboratory Technician Advancements

• Education: As mentioned above, acquiring a bachelor's degree in medical technology is a must for aspiring laboratory technicians. This means that high school students who focus on chemistry, biology, and math are the most viable candidates for the role.
• Experience: Most Laboratory Technicians should have at least 1 or 2 years of prior experience to be considered for the role.
• Learn the needed skills: Some skills, like laboratory testing and sample collection skills, are required for the role of Laboratory Technician. Thus, learning the said skills can help aspiring Laboratory Technicians to have a better understanding of their role.

Laboratory Technician Skills

Gaining sought-after skills for a laboratory technician is an effective way to earn a better salary and unlock more career opportunities.

The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand laboratory technician skills are molecular biology and good laboratory practice skills, with both skills having a 10.90% demand, respectively.

On the other hand, essential skills such as laboratory testing and sample collection skills can increase the salary for laboratory technicians by 8.79% and 8.23%, respectively.

What are FAQs About Laboratory Technician Salaries?

Here are some common questions about or related to laboratory technicians' salary:

What does the Laboratory Technician do?

A laboratory technician's employment varies per company. Some laboratory technicians are tasked with helping doctors diagnose illnesses for hospitals, whereas some are tasked with helping find medicine that works for the vast majority of the population.

What skills should Laboratory Technicians possess?

As mentioned above, an ideal candidate for the laboratory technician role should possess skills like molecular biology and good laboratory practice knowledge. However, having skills like laboratory testing and sample collection skills can help laboratory technicians earn more.

How much does a Laboratory Technician earn in the U.S.?

The average laboratory technician salary in the United States is $69,990 or $34 per hour in the United States, as of October 10, 2025. The highest median Laboratory Technician management salary can go up to $81,262 for those who belong in the 90th percentile.