Lab Technician Jobs in California

Lab Technician jobs in California are concentrated in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where major research institutions, biotech firms, and hospital systems drive steady demand for clinical, environmental, and pharmaceutical lab talent. Employers like Kaiser Permanente, Roche, and UC San Diego Health maintain large lab workforces and hire at levels from entry-level associates to senior specialists. Molecular diagnostics, environmental testing, and quality control are among the most sought-after specialties in the state. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles153+
Top employerSutter Health
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring86
Work type92% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 153+ Lab Technician jobs

Research Lab Technician II - Data Analysis
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Research Lab Technician II - Data Analysis
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Data Science & Analytics
Project Management
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
$25.71 - $28.32/hr
Bachelor's degree in biology
10,000+

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Research Lab Technician II
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Added 2d ago
Research Lab Technician II
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$26 - $28.32/hr
Bachelor's degree in biology
10,000+

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Research Lab Technician II - Data Analysis
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Research Lab Technician II - Data Analysis
Keck Medicine of USC
Los Angeles, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
$25.71 - $28.32/hr
Bachelor's degree in biology
5,001-10,000

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Research Lab Technician II
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Added 2d ago
Research Lab Technician II
Keck Medicine of USC
Los Angeles, California
Business Strategy
Compliance & Risk
Consulting & Professional Services
$26 - $28.32/hr
Bachelor's degree in biology
5,001-10,000

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Lab Technician-Clinical Lab
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Added 2d ago
Lab Technician-Clinical Lab
Prime Healthcare Services
Encino, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$23 - $35.91/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Lab Technician Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Santa Clara
10 jobs
San Diego
8 jobs
San Jose
6 jobs
Milpitas
5 jobs
Torrance
4 jobs
Santa Rosa
4 jobs
Arcadia
3 jobs
Hayward
3 jobs

Lab Technician Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Sutter Health6 open roles
Leanteq5 open roles
Keck Medicine of USC5 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Science & Research
  • Mining & Natural Resources
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in lab technician jobs across California.

  • California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license or Limited Phlebotomy Technician registration as applicable
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science, biology, or chemistry
  • Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation including analyzers, centrifuges, and pipetting systems
  • Experience following CAP, CLIA, or ISO 15189 quality and compliance standards
  • Ability to accurately document results in laboratory information systems such as Epic or Sunquest
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to handle multiple specimen types under time pressure

Lab Technician Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a lab technician in California?

Most California lab technician roles require at minimum an associate degree in a life science field, and clinical positions typically require licensure from the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services. Clinical Laboratory Scientists must pass the CLS licensure exam, while limited-scope roles such as phlebotomy or limited laboratory technician positions have their own California-specific registration requirements. Environmental and pharmaceutical lab roles often rely on employer-specific training rather than state licensure.

Which companies hire lab technicians in California?

California lab technician roles are posted by Sutter Health, Leanteq, and Keck Medicine of USC and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's density of academic medical centers, biotech headquarters, and environmental testing firms means openings are distributed across a wide range of employer types statewide.

Which California cities have the most lab technician jobs?

Los Angeles, Santa Clara, and San Diego are the California cities with the most lab technician openings. Los Angeles and San Diego lead because of their large hospital networks and biotech corridors, while San Francisco benefits from a concentration of life sciences companies in the broader Bay Area, including South San Francisco's established pharmaceutical cluster.

Are there remote lab technician jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 8% of lab technician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how hands-on most lab work is by nature. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are data analysis, laboratory information system management, and regulatory documentation work.

How can I get hired as a lab technician in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is a clinical or research laboratory assistant role, which large California systems like Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai, and UCLA Health regularly post for candidates without full CLS credentials. Completing an accredited medical laboratory technician program at a California community college and obtaining a Limited Phlebotomy Technician registration from the California Department of Public Health gives candidates a concrete edge. Lateral moves from roles such as medical assistant or pharmacy technician also open doors at hospital-based labs.

Where can I find and apply to lab technician jobs in California?

You can find and apply to lab technician jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 153+ Lab Technician Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Lab Technician Jobs