Laboratory Technician Jobs in California

Laboratory Technician jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotech and pharmaceutical research, clinical diagnostics, environmental testing, and food safety, with openings at every level from entry-level bench technician through senior lab scientist. The largest hiring markets are the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers such as Bio-Rad Laboratories, Quest Diagnostics, and Kaiser Permanente maintain a sustained need for laboratory technicians year-round. Molecular diagnostics, clinical chemistry, and quality control testing are the most in-demand specialties across California's life sciences corridor. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Laboratory Technician Jobs

Overview

Open roles106+
Top employerKMRG
Top cityIrvine, CA
Cities hiring61
Work type97% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 106+ Laboratory Technician jobs

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Entry-Level Laboratory Technician (50% Bench / 50% Computer Work)
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Added 1d ago
Entry-Level Laboratory Technician (50% Bench / 50% Computer Work)
American Green Spring Diagnostics Inc
San Dimas, California
Compliance & Risk
Health & Safety
Quality Control
On-Site

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Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Clinical Laboratory Technician II
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Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Added 1d ago
Clinical Laboratory Technician II
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
$53k - $70k/yr
High school diploma or GED
1,001-5,000

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JenaValve Technology, Inc.
Senior Technician, Laboratory Quality Assurance
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JenaValve Technology, Inc.
Added 1d ago
Senior Technician, Laboratory Quality Assurance
JenaValve Technology, Inc.
Irvine, California
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
Bachelor's degree in biological science

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Avid Bioservices
Laboratory Technician, Process Development Downstream
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Avid Bioservices
Added 2d ago
Laboratory Technician, Process Development Downstream
Avid Bioservices
Tustin, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$19.61 - $24.51/hr
On-Site

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Applicantz
Engineering Laboratory Technician
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Applicantz
Added 2d ago
Engineering Laboratory Technician
Applicantz
Fremont, California
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
None

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See All 106+ Laboratory Technician Jobs in California

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Laboratory Technician Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Irvine
9 jobs
San Diego
8 jobs
Fremont
5 jobs
Tustin
4 jobs
Alameda
4 jobs
Aliso Viejo
4 jobs
El Segundo
3 jobs
Long Beach
3 jobs
Sacramento
3 jobs

Laboratory Technician Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

KMRG
KMRG7 open roles
UL Solutions
UL Solutions4 open roles
Sutter Health
Sutter Health4 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Medical Devices
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Energy
  • Science & Research

What California Employers Look For

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

  • California Laboratory Field Services license or state-recognized certification such as CLS or CLT
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science, biology, or chemistry
  • Proficiency with laboratory instrumentation including automated analyzers and pipetting systems
  • Experience following CLIA, CAP, or GLP regulatory standards in a clinical or research setting
  • Accurate specimen handling, sample preparation, and chain-of-custody documentation skills
  • Familiarity with laboratory information systems such as EPIC Beaker or Sunquest

Laboratory Technician Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a laboratory technician in California?

California requires clinical laboratory technicians to hold a state license issued by the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services branch. Most candidates complete an associate degree in clinical laboratory science or a related science field, then pass the California CLS or CLT licensure examination. Candidates with a bachelor's degree in a biological or chemical science may qualify for the Clinical Laboratory Scientist license, which opens additional duties and a broader range of employer settings across the state.

How much do laboratory technicians make in California?

Laboratory technicians in California earn a median of about $71,440 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,700 for the lowest 10% to over $121,670 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire laboratory technicians in California?

Employers hiring laboratory technicians in California right now include KMRG, UL Solutions, and Sutter Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of biotech firms, large integrated health systems, and environmental testing labs means hiring is distributed across both major metros and suburban research corridors such as South San Francisco and Carlsbad.

Which California cities have the most laboratory technician jobs?

Irvine, San Diego, and Fremont account for the most laboratory technician openings in California. The Bay Area's density of biotech and pharmaceutical companies drives volume in that region, while Los Angeles and San Diego benefit from large hospital networks, university medical centers, and a growing life sciences industry that collectively sustain consistent demand for laboratory technicians year-round.

Are there remote laboratory technician jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Laboratory technician work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring physical access to specimens, instruments, and controlled environments, so the majority of roles are on-site. About 3% of laboratory technician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve data review, quality assurance documentation, or laboratory informatics rather than direct bench work.

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

The most realistic entry path is a phlebotomy or laboratory assistant role, which large California health systems such as Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and UCSF Health regularly post for candidates without full laboratory technician credentials. Community college clinical laboratory technician programs in California include externship rotations that count as structured experience. Earning a California CLS or CLT license, even before accumulating years of work history, gives candidates a measurable edge because the license itself signals verified competency to hiring managers.

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

You can find and apply to laboratory technician jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 106+ Laboratory Technician Jobs in California

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

Find Laboratory Technician Jobs