Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $63,770 a year ($30.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,710 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $62,930. Pay here is 16% lower than the California statewide median of $76,010. There are 1.8 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $73,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,130 | $21.70 |
| 25th percentile | $50,660 | $24.36 |
| Median | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| 75th percentile | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,710 | $61.40 |
| Average (mean) | $73,640 | $35.40 |
Half of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,314.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,657.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,452.69 |
| Weekly | $1,226.35 |
| Hourly | $30.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $86,250 | 220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $84,870 | 1,870 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $84,200 | 340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $84,130 | 5,210 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $83,150 | 2,020 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $83,100 | 80 |
| Redding, CA | $81,220 | 80 |
| Napa, CA | $80,070 | 50 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $76,920 | 270 |
| Modesto, CA | $76,110 | 360 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $74,840 | 370 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $67,430 | 10,150 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $63,210 | 360 |
| Salinas, CA | $62,770 | 110 |
| Fresno, CA | $62,160 | 600 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $62,040 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $61,910 | 1,530 |
| Chico, CA | $59,520 | 170 |
| El Centro, CA | $58,240 | 50 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $53,640 | 240 |
| Visalia, CA | $51,500 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $97,280 |
| Oregon | $83,010 |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 |
| Massachusetts | $79,120 |
| Vermont | $78,680 |
| District of Columbia | $76,560 |
| California | $76,010 |
| Rhode Island | $75,780 |
| Minnesota | $74,440 |
| Washington | $72,760 |
See Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,720 | $38.33 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $54,500 | $26.20 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $113,480 | $54.56 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,480 | $29.56 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Surgical Technologist | $82,260 | $39.55 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $48,120 | $23.13 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $129,630 | $62.32 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,830 | $35.98 |
| Dietetic Technician | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Paramedic | $70,630 | $33.96 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2010. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $63,770 a year, or $30.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $127,710 a year. The top 25% earn $80,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,130 a year, and a quarter of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn $50,660 or less.
How many clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 2,740 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.