Healthcare San Francisco, CA Pop. 873,965

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in San Francisco, California

The median medical laboratory technician salary in San Francisco, CA is $109,820 per year, which is 90.0% above the national median and 30.1% above the California state average.

City Median
$109,820
vs State Avg
+$25,432
vs National
+$52,020
Cost of Living
182%

Medical Laboratory Technician Pay in San Francisco: What to Expect (2026)

San Francisco offers a median medical laboratory technician salary of $109,820, which is $25,432 above the California state average of $84,388. Compared to the national median of $57,800, San Francisco pays above average for this role.

However, San Francisco's cost of living index is 182%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $109,820 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $60,341. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Francisco should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for medical laboratory technicians in San Francisco spans from $72,200 at the 10th percentile to $161,500 at the 90th percentile — a $89,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $76,000, while senior medical laboratory technicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $155,800. As a major metro area with a population of 873,965, San Francisco typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in San Francisco by Experience

In San Francisco, an entry-level medical laboratory technician earns around $76,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $155,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$76,000
+$36,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$110,200
+$52,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$155,800
+$73,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Francisco, CA

Percentile San Francisco
10th Percentile $72,200
25th Percentile $87,400
Median (50th) $109,820
75th Percentile $136,800
90th Percentile $161,500

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Other California Cities

San Jose, CA
$101,728
Pop. 1,013,240
Los Angeles, CA
$89,012
Pop. 3,898,747
San Diego, CA
$86,700
Pop. 1,386,932
Sacramento, CA
$72,828
Pop. 524,943

How to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician in San Francisco

Education

Most medical laboratory technician positions require a associate's degree. San Francisco and the surrounding California area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Lab TechniquesHematologyMicrobiologyQuality ControlEquipment OperationData Entry

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical laboratory technician employment is projected to grow 7% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in San Francisco may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs in San Francisco

Browse open medical laboratory technician positions in San Francisco, CA:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in San Francisco

How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make in San Francisco, CA? ▼
The median medical laboratory technician salary in San Francisco, California is $109,820 per year, which is 90.0% above the national median of $57,800. Salaries range from $72,200 (10th percentile) to $161,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make per hour in San Francisco? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $109,820, a medical laboratory technician in San Francisco earns approximately $53 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Francisco compare to the California state average for medical laboratory technician pay? ▼
San Francisco's median medical laboratory technician salary of $109,820 is 30.1% above the California state average of $84,388. The local cost of living index is 182% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Francisco, CA? ▼
San Francisco has a cost of living index of 182% compared to the national average. This means a medical laboratory technician salary of $109,820 in San Francisco has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical laboratory technician in San Francisco? ▼
Most medical laboratory technician positions in San Francisco require a associate's degree. Key skills include Lab Techniques, Hematology, Microbiology, Quality Control. The job market is projected to grow 7% nationally over the next decade.