Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California

Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated across hospital systems, academic medical centers, public health laboratories, and integrated health networks, with openings at every level from entry-level generalist through senior specialist and laboratory supervisor. The largest hiring activity is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where systems like Kaiser Permanente, UCSF Health, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center maintain deep and ongoing demand. The most in-demand specialties are clinical chemistry, hematology, and microbiology, reflecting the complexity of California's patient populations and its strong life sciences infrastructure. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles194+
Top employerAltos Labs
Top citySouth San Francisco, CA
Cities hiring35
Work type96% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 194+ Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs

Smart IT Frame LLC
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) / Lab Manager
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Smart IT Frame LLC
Added 6d ago
Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) / Lab Manager
Smart IT Frame LLC
Lake Isabella, California
Healthcare Administration
Allied Health
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Medical Specialists
Laboratory Science
$80 - $80/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Kern Medical
Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
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Kern Medical
Added 1mo ago
Clinical Laboratory Scientist II
Kern Medical
Bakersfield, California
Allied Health
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Science
$48 - $65/hr
On-Site
None
1,001-5,000

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Denali Therapeutics
Senior Scientist, Safety Science
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Denali Therapeutics
Added 3d ago
Senior Scientist, Safety Science
Denali Therapeutics
South San Francisco, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Clinical Trials
$155k - $202k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
51-200

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UCLA Health
Clinical Lab Scientist
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UCLA Health
Added 3d ago
Clinical Lab Scientist
UCLA Health
Los Angeles, California
Allied Health
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Laboratory Science
Clinical Trials
$56 - $75/hr
On-Site
None
5,001-10,000

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Genentech
Scientist 3 Translational Medicine
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Genentech
Added 4d ago
Scientist 3 Translational Medicine
Genentech
San Francisco, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Clinical Trials
$100k - $186k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate
10,000+

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See All 194+ Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California

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Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

South San Francisco
34 jobs
San Francisco
31 jobs
San Diego
29 jobs
San Carlos
15 jobs
Redwood City
14 jobs
Palo Alto
9 jobs
Los Angeles
8 jobs
Irvine
7 jobs
San Jose
5 jobs

Medical Laboratory Scientist Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • Altos Labs
    Altos Labs12
  • Genentech
    Genentech12
  • Natera
    Natera9
  • Revolution Medicines
    Revolution Medicines8
  • Calico Life Sciences
    Calico Life Sciences6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals100
  • Science & Research45
  • Healthcare & Medical Services26
  • Medical Devices14
  • Education7

What California Employers Look For

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

  • Active California clinical laboratory scientist license issued by CDPH or equivalent
  • Bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science, medical laboratory science, or related field
  • Certification from ASCP, AMT, or equivalent national certifying body required or preferred
  • Proficiency across core disciplines including hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and immunology
  • Experience operating and troubleshooting automated analyzers and laboratory information systems
  • Knowledge of CAP, CLIA, and California Department of Public Health regulatory requirements

Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a medical laboratory scientist in California?

To work as a medical laboratory scientist in California, you must hold a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) license issued by the California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services. Candidates typically complete a bachelor's degree in clinical laboratory science or a related biological science, followed by an accredited training program. National certification from ASCP or AMT is not required by California law but strengthens licensure applications and is expected by most employers.

Which companies hire medical laboratory scientists in California?

Employers hiring medical laboratory scientists in California right now include Altos Labs, Genentech, and Natera, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense network of integrated health systems, county public health laboratories, and academic medical centers means consistent openings across both large urban campuses and community hospital sites.

Which California cities have the most medical laboratory scientist jobs?

South San Francisco, San Francisco, and San Diego have the most medical laboratory scientist openings in California. Los Angeles and the surrounding region drive the largest share of listings, supported by its concentration of major health systems, county hospitals, and specialty clinics, while San Francisco and San Diego benefit from academic medical centers and a robust life sciences industry that supports reference and research laboratory operations.

Are there remote medical laboratory scientist jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Medical laboratory science is fundamentally hands-on work performed on patient specimens using instrumentation that requires physical presence in a laboratory. About 4% of medical laboratory scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those positions tend to be in laboratory management, informatics, quality assurance, or consulting rather than bench science roles.

How can I get hired as a medical laboratory scientist 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 affiliated with UC Health campuses, Kaiser Permanente, or county hospital systems that take on trainees as part of the pathway to CLS licensure. Candidates who have worked as medical laboratory technicians, phlebotomists, or laboratory assistants in California facilities often have an easier time securing sponsorship into a training slot. Obtaining your California CLS license, even as a new graduate, is the single credential that moves an application forward with most employers.

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

You can find and apply to medical laboratory scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring right now. Find roles that fit your experience, credentials, and preferred location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.

See All 194+ Medical Laboratory Scientist Jobs in California

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