Laboratory Jobs in California

Laboratory jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, clinical diagnostics, and environmental testing, with openings at every level from entry-level lab assistant through senior scientist and laboratory director. The largest hiring activity is in San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where established employers like Genentech, Quest Diagnostics, and Thermo Fisher Scientific maintain major California operations. The most sought-after specialties include molecular biology, clinical chemistry, and quality control. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles1,405+
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring140
Work type94% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 1,405+ Laboratory jobs

Synthego
Laboratory Associate II
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Synthego
New 41m ago
Laboratory Associate II
Synthego
Redwood City, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Quality Control
$29.00 - $31.00/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Natera
Associate Laboratory Director
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Natera
New 4h ago
Associate Laboratory Director
Natera
San Carlos, California
Healthcare Administration
Allied Health
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$158k - $198k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
5,001-10,000

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Prime Healthcare Services
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
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Prime Healthcare Services
Added 2d ago
Clinical Laboratory Scientist
Prime Healthcare Services
Anaheim, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Science
$36 - $52/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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City of Hope
Laboratory Technical Assistant
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City of Hope
Added 2d ago
Laboratory Technical Assistant
City of Hope
Duarte, California
Laboratory Research
Allied Health
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$23 - $35/hr
On-Site
High School
10,000+

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City of Hope
Clinical Laboratory Scientist I
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City of Hope
Added 2d ago
Clinical Laboratory Scientist I
City of Hope
Duarte, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Science
$43 - $66/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Laboratory Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
257 jobs
San Diego
171 jobs
South San Francisco
81 jobs
Los Angeles
64 jobs
Redwood City
63 jobs
Palo Alto
61 jobs
Irvine
43 jobs
San Carlos
40 jobs
San Juan Capistrano
28 jobs

Laboratory Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco82
  • University of California - San Francisco
    University of California - San Francisco66
  • City of Hope
    City of Hope44
  • Revolution Medicines
    Revolution Medicines44
  • Quest Diagnostics
    Quest Diagnostics35

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals412
  • Healthcare & Medical Services352
  • Education256
  • Science & Research229
  • Medical Devices82

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in laboratory jobs across California.

  • California Laboratory Field Services license or California Department of Public Health certification where required
  • Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related life science field
  • Proficiency with standard laboratory instruments including PCR, HPLC, or mass spectrometry equipment
  • Experience following Good Laboratory Practice or Good Manufacturing Practice protocols
  • Strong documentation skills and familiarity with laboratory information management systems
  • Ability to work in a regulated environment with strict safety and compliance standards

Laboratory Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a laboratory professional in California?

The path depends on your specialty. Clinical laboratory scientists must earn licensure through the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services, which requires a qualifying bachelor's degree and passing the California Clinical Laboratory Scientist examination. Environmental and research laboratory roles typically require a relevant science degree without a state license. Some positions, such as limited phlebotomy technician roles, require a separate California-issued certificate from an approved training program.

Which companies hire laboratory professionals in California?

Employers hiring laboratory professionals in California right now include University of California, San Francisco, University of California - San Francisco, and City of Hope, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of biotech companies, health systems, and environmental testing firms means the hiring market here is broader and more specialized than in most other states.

Which California cities have the most laboratory jobs?

San Francisco, San Diego, and South San Francisco have the most laboratory openings in California. San Francisco and San Diego lead because of their dense biotech and pharmaceutical research ecosystems, while Los Angeles draws volume from its large hospital networks, environmental testing firms, and consumer product manufacturers that all run in-house laboratory operations.

Are there remote laboratory jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Most laboratory work requires physical presence for sample handling, instrument operation, and regulated procedures. About 6% of laboratory openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to be in data analysis, laboratory informatics, regulatory affairs, or quality assurance roles that do not require bench work.

How can I get hired as a laboratory professional in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry point is applying for a laboratory assistant or specimen processor role at a large California hospital system or a commercial reference lab. Employers like Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and Sonora Quest run new-graduate training programs and will hire candidates who hold or are completing a California-accredited clinical laboratory scientist program. Earning a phlebotomy certificate from a California-approved training provider is one of the fastest ways to get a foot in the door and move into broader laboratory work.

Where can I find and apply to laboratory jobs in California?

You can find and apply to laboratory jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across clinical, research, environmental, and industrial laboratory settings. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 1,405+ Laboratory Jobs in California

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

Find Laboratory Jobs