Healthcare San Jose, CA Pop. 1,013,240

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in San Jose, California

The median medical laboratory technician salary in San Jose, CA is $101,728 per year, which is 76.0% above the national median and 20.5% above the California state average.

City Median
$101,728
vs State Avg
+$17,340
vs National
+$43,928
Cost of Living
168%

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

San Jose offers a median medical laboratory technician salary of $101,728, which is $17,340 above the California state average of $84,388. Compared to the national median of $57,800, San Jose pays above average for this role.

However, San Jose's cost of living index is 168%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $101,728 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $60,552. Housing, transportation, and food costs in San Jose should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for medical laboratory technicians in San Jose spans from $66,880 at the 10th percentile to $149,600 at the 90th percentile — a $82,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,400, while senior medical laboratory technicians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $144,320. As a major metro area with a population of 1,013,240, San Jose typically offers more job opportunities and employer competition, which can drive salaries higher.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in San Jose by Experience

In San Jose, an entry-level medical laboratory technician earns around $70,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $144,320 per year. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$70,400
+$30,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$102,080
+$44,080 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$144,320
+$62,320 vs national

Salary Percentiles in San Jose, CA

Percentile San Jose
10th Percentile $66,880
25th Percentile $80,960
Median (50th) $101,728
75th Percentile $126,720
90th Percentile $149,600

Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in Other California Cities

San Francisco, CA
$109,820
Pop. 873,965
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 Jose

Education

Most medical laboratory technician positions require a associate's degree. San Jose 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 Jose may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Laboratory Technician Jobs in San Jose

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

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in San Jose

How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make in San Jose, CA? ▼
The median medical laboratory technician salary in San Jose, California is $101,728 per year, which is 76.0% above the national median of $57,800. Salaries range from $66,880 (10th percentile) to $149,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Laboratory Technician make per hour in San Jose? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $101,728, a medical laboratory technician in San Jose earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does San Jose compare to the California state average for medical laboratory technician pay? ▼
San Jose's median medical laboratory technician salary of $101,728 is 20.5% above the California state average of $84,388. The local cost of living index is 168% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in San Jose, CA? ▼
San Jose has a cost of living index of 168% compared to the national average. This means a medical laboratory technician salary of $101,728 in San Jose 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 Jose? ▼
Most medical laboratory technician positions in San Jose 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.