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 roles150+
Top employerSutter Health
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring77
Work type88% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 150+ Lab Technician jobs

Sutter Health
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Lab Assistant II
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Sutter Health
Added 1d ago
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Lab Assistant II
Sutter Health
Castro Valley, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$34.55 - $48.36/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Sutter Health
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Lab Assistant II
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Sutter Health
Added 1d ago
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Lab Assistant II
Sutter Health
Sunnyvale, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$34.55 - $48.36/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Sutter Health
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Lab Assistant II
We won't show you this job again
Sutter Health
Added 1d ago
Certified Phlebotomy Technician Lab Assistant II
Sutter Health
Berkeley, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$34.55 - $48.36/hr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Kryptos Biotechnologies, Inc.
Lab Technician (Temporary)
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Kryptos Biotechnologies, Inc.
Added 1d ago
Lab Technician (Temporary)
Kryptos Biotechnologies, Inc.
Hayward, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
On-Site
Bachelor of Science

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Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Research Technician – Scanziani Lab
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Added 1d ago
Research Technician – Scanziani Lab
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
San Francisco, California
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
Technical Program Management
$20.08 - $25.14/hr
Bachelor's degree in biology
1,001-5,000

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Lab Technician Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
13 jobs
San Diego
7 jobs
Palo Alto
6 jobs
Los Angeles
6 jobs
Hayward
5 jobs
Santa Clara
5 jobs
Irvine
4 jobs
Fremont
4 jobs
Torrance
4 jobs

Lab Technician Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

Sutter Health
Sutter Health7 open roles
University of California - San Francisco
University of California - San Francisco7 open roles
Siemens Healthineers
Siemens Healthineers5 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Technology & Software
  • Medical Devices
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Education

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, University of California - San Francisco, and Siemens Healthineers and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?

San Francisco, San Diego, and Palo Alto 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 12% of lab technician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 150+ Lab Technician Jobs in California

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

Find Lab Technician Jobs