Lab Technician Jobs in California

Lab Technician jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand concentrated in biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and environmental testing from entry-level associates through senior scientists. The largest hiring hubs are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where established employers like Genentech, Quest Diagnostics, and Kaiser Permanente maintain significant lab operations. Molecular diagnostics, quality control, and clinical chemistry are the specialties drawing the most consistent California demand right now. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Lab Technician Jobs

Overview

Open roles112+
Top employerAstera Labs
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring33
Work type91% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 112+ Lab Technician jobs

Apple
Engineering Lab Technician
We won't show you this job again
Apple
Added 1d ago
Engineering Lab Technician
Apple
Cupertino, California
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Engineering (Non-Software)
$39 - $67/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

SBM Management Services
Lab Technician
We won't show you this job again
SBM Management Services
Added 1d ago
Lab Technician
SBM Management Services
Oceanside, California
Laboratory Research
Allied Health
Laboratory Science
$20 - $21/hr
On-Site
High School
5,001-10,000

Have you applied for this role?

Genentech
Lab Technician II
We won't show you this job again
Genentech
Added 2d ago
Lab Technician II
Genentech
San Diego, California
Laboratory Research
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Science
$60k - $93k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Abbott
Production Lab Technician
We won't show you this job again
Abbott
Added 3d ago
Production Lab Technician
Abbott
San Diego, California
Manufacturing Operations
Laboratory Research
$17 - $34/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Aspen Dental
Dental Lab Technician
We won't show you this job again
Aspen Dental
Added 3d ago
Dental Lab Technician
Aspen Dental
Chico, California
Healthcare Administration
$35 - $41/hr
On-Site
Other
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 112+ Lab Technician Jobs in California

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

Find Lab Technician Jobs

Lab Technician Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
30 jobs
San Jose
28 jobs
San Diego
6 jobs
San Mateo
5 jobs
Santa Clara
5 jobs
Los Angeles
4 jobs
Berkeley
2 jobs
Carson
2 jobs
Emeryville
2 jobs

Lab Technician Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Astera Labs
    Astera Labs19
  • University of California - San Francisco
    University of California - San Francisco6
  • Tessera Labs
    Tessera Labs4
  • Twelve Labs
    Twelve Labs4
  • Gimlet Labs
    Gimlet Labs3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software38
  • Electronics & Hardware29
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals12
  • Education11
  • Science & Research10

What California Employers Look For

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

  • California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license or valid licensure recognized in California
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, or chemistry
  • Hands-on experience with clinical analyzers, PCR equipment, or laboratory information systems
  • Proficiency in quality control procedures and regulatory compliance standards such as CLIA and CAP
  • Certification from ASCP, AMT, or equivalent nationally recognized laboratory credentialing body
  • Strong documentation skills and familiarity with GMP or GLP environments

Lab Technician Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a lab technician in California?

California requires most lab technicians performing clinical testing to hold a California Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT) license issued by the California Department of Public Health. The CLS license requires a bachelor's degree in a qualifying science plus completion of an accredited training program, while the CLT license accepts an associate degree with approved training. Candidates must pass a state examination to obtain licensure before working independently in a California clinical lab.

Which companies hire lab technicians in California?

Employers hiring lab technicians in California right now include Astera Labs, University of California - San Francisco, and Tessera Labs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of major health systems, biotech firms, and pharmaceutical manufacturers means demand is spread across both large hospital networks and specialized research-focused employers throughout the state.

Which California cities have the most lab technician jobs?

San Francisco, San Jose, and San Diego have the most lab technician openings in California. The Bay Area and San Diego lead because they anchor California's biotech and pharmaceutical industries, while Los Angeles supports high volume through its large hospital networks, county health facilities, and outpatient laboratory chains serving one of the most populous metro areas in the country.

Are there remote lab technician jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Most lab technician work is hands-on and requires physical presence to operate equipment and process samples, so fully remote roles are uncommon. About 9% of lab technician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to focus on data review, laboratory information system management, or quality assurance oversight rather than bench work.

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

The most realistic entry path is completing a California-accredited clinical laboratory training program, many of which are offered through California community colleges and hospital-affiliated schools, then applying for the CLT license through the California Department of Public Health. Large California health systems like Kaiser Permanente and UCSF Health run new-graduate training rotations, and roles such as lab assistant, phlebotomist, or specimen processor are common stepping stones. Holding a CLT license or an ASCP certification gives first-time applicants a clear hiring edge over unlicensed candidates.

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 across clinical, biotech, pharmaceutical, and environmental employers. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and credentials, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 112+ Lab Technician Jobs in California

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

Find Lab Technician Jobs