Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $83,100 a year ($39.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,240 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $62,930. Pay here is 9% higher than the California statewide median of $76,010. There are 0.83 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $82,330, close to the median.
Pay range for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,890 | $26.39 |
| 25th percentile | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| Median | $83,100 | $39.95 |
| 75th percentile | $86,440 | $41.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,240 | $48.19 |
| Average (mean) | $82,330 | $39.58 |
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 | $6,925 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,462.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,196.15 |
| Weekly | $1,598.08 |
| Hourly | $39.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $83,100 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 |
| 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 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $63,770 | 2,740 |
| 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $81,000 | $38.94 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $50,100 | $24.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $62,810 | $30.20 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,510 | $29.09 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $129,920 | $62.46 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Surgical Technologist | $100,130 | $48.14 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $51,970 | $24.98 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $55,950 | $26.90 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $142,150 | $68.34 |
| Paramedic | $71,390 | $34.32 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,710 | $21.01 |
| Registered Nurse | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 | $62.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $83,100 a year, or $39.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clinical laboratory technologists and technicians make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $100,240 a year. The top 25% earn $86,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,890 a year, and a quarter of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn $77,160 or less.
How many clinical laboratory technologists and technicians work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 80 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.