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Medical Laboratory Technician Salary in San Diego, California

Updated 2026-04-06BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$86,544/ year

Median Medical Laboratory Technician in San Diego, CA

$53,136
10th
$64,800
25th
$86,544
Median
$110,880
75th
$135,274
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$86,544
Total compensation (est.)
$99,526
Bonus range
$2,250 – $9,240
Mean salary
$91,737

How This Compares

San Diego, CA median
$86,544
California median
$61,302+41.2%
National median
$60,100+44.0%

Cost of living in San Diego is 44% above the national average. Salary of $86,544 here is equivalent to $60,100 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$62,312-28.0%
3-5 years
$78,755-9.0%
6-10 years
$96,929+12.0%
10+ years
$119,431+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$76,159-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$86,544
Enterprise (5,000+)
$102,122+18.0%

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Medical Laboratory Technician Salaries in Nearby Cities

Los Angeles, CA$90,751/yr
San Jose, CA$106,978/yr
San Francisco, CA$111,185/yr
Fresno, CA$60,100/yr
Sacramento, CA$60,100/yr

Related Jobs in San Diego

Registered Nurse$116,957/yr
Nurse Practitioner$179,539/yr
Physician Assistant$181,454/yr
Physical Therapist$140,717/yr
Occupational Therapist$134,179/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$42/hr
Monthly gross$7,212/mo
25th percentile$64,800/yr
75th percentile$110,880/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

California Unemployment

Dec 2025

5.5%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Medical Laboratory Technician Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Medical Laboratory Technician salary in San Diego?

The median Medical Laboratory Technician salary in San Diego is $86,544 per year, with a range from $64,800 at the 25th percentile to $110,880 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Medical Laboratory Technician pay in San Diego compare to the national average?

Medical Laboratory Technician salaries in San Diego are 44% above the national median of $60,100. After adjusting for San Diego's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $60,100 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Medical Laboratory Technician salaries in San Diego?

In San Diego, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Medical Laboratory Technician roles start around $53,136, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $135,274 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is San Diego a good place for Medical Laboratory Technician jobs?

San Diego offers a Medical Laboratory Technician median of $86,544, which is 44% above the US median of $60,100. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — San Diego is 44% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Medical Laboratory Technician salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Medical Laboratory Technician in San Diego is $110,880, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.