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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The USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Titus Family Department of Clinical Pharmacy, is seeking a Research Lab Technician II to support ongoing studies in immunogenomics, cancer genomics and therapeutics.
We are a translational genomics and experimental therapeutics lab focused on identifying and investigating novel therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and developing new therapeutic strategies. We seek a highly motivated, detail-oriented individual to perform molecular, cellular, and in vivo experiments and support the day-to-day operation of the laboratory.
Responsibilities
- Process and run quality control on next-generation sequencing data (e.g., RNA-seq, whole-exome/genome sequencing, ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, single-cell sequencing) using established pipelines
- Perform downstream analyses, including differential expression, variant calling and annotation, pathway enrichment, and clustering, under the guidance of the Principal Investigator and senior lab members
- Analyze data from high-throughput drug screens, flow cytometry, and preclinical mouse studies; perform basic statistical analyses
- Mine public ‘omics’ resources (e.g., TCGA, BeatAML, GEO, DepMap) to support target discovery and validation
- Maintain, document, and update analysis pipelines and scripts using version control
- Organize and manage lab datasets, sample metadata, and clinical annotations in compliance with IRB and data security requirements
- Run jobs on USC’s high-performance computing cluster and manage data storage
- Prepare figures, tables, and summaries of results for lab meetings, presentations, and manuscripts
Minimum Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, or a related field
- Hands-on laboratory experience with routine molecular biology and cell culture techniques
- Excellent organizational, record-keeping, and communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree or 1–2 years of research laboratory experience
- Experience with flow cytometry, NGS sample preparation, or high-throughput assays
- Experience with mouse handling and in vivo studies
- Familiarity with basic data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, GraphPad Prism) or interest in learning bioinformatics
- Background in cancer biology or hematologic malignancies
Applicants should attach the following:
- Cover letter describing research experience and interests
- Résumé or CV
- Names and contact information for two to three references
The hourly rate range for this position is $25.71 - $28.32. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.
Minimum Education: Associate's degree, Specialized/technical training, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Working knowledge of laboratory equipment and research protocols. Knowledge of computer analysis techniques and ability to provide routine analysis and interpretation of research data.
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Lab Technician Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring


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
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