Assistant Technician (Trainee) Salary in the United States

How much does an Assistant Technician (Trainee) make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Technician (Trainee) in the United States is $55,933 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Assistant Technician (Trainee)'s salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $66,111
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $50,964 to $61,260
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $46,440

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Technician (Trainee) Salaries

An Assistant Technician (Trainee)'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Technician (Trainee) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Technician (Trainee)'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $42,865
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $54,823
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $61,220
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,580
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,961
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Production Technician I less than 1 year $42,865
Assistant Technician (Trainee) 1-2 years $54,823
Production Technician III 2-4 years $61,220
Production Technician IV 5-8 years $67,580
Production Team Leader over 8 years $64,961

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Technician (Trainee)

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $70,548
  • San Francisco: $69,776
  • Oakland: $68,305

Assistant Technician (Trainee) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Technician (Trainee) roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Technician (Trainee) positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Technician (Trainee) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Technician (Trainee)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $72,713 $35.0 30%
Financial Services $69,916 $34.0 25%
Energy & Utilities $64,323 $31.0 15%
Insurance $61,526 $30.0 10%
Business Services $58,730 $28.0 5%

How Education impacts an Assistant Technician (Trainee)'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Assistant Technician (Trainee) professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Assistant Technician (Trainee) with a high school is between $44,344 and $47,881.

Assistant Technician (Trainee) Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Assistant Technician (Trainee)
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.9%
High School 36.4%
Associate's Degree 20.6%
Bachelor's Degree 37.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 4.7%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0%

Assistant Technician (Trainee) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Technician (Trainee)'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$50,964
Average $55,933/year
$61,260
$4,247
Average $4,661/month
$5,105
$980
Average $1,076/week
$1,178
$25
Average $27/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,260 $5,105 $1,178 $29
Average $55,933 $4,661 $1,076 $27
25th Percentile $50,964 $4,247 $980 $25

Most common benefits for Assistant Technician (Trainee)

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Assistant Technician (Trainee)

Here are companies hiring for Assistant Technician (Trainee) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Assistant Technician (Trainee) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Technician (Trainee) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Mistras Group Inc. - Services | Columbus, OH

    Mistras Group Inc. - Services | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Fire Apparatus Technician Assistant. Locations. Ohio, Michigan & Pennsylvania. Pay. $21–$23/hour. Mistras is seeking. Fir... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Plunkett's Pest Control | Columbus, OH

    Plunkett's Pest Control | Columbus, OH

    Description:Varment Guard is a division of Plunkett's Pest Control The Seasonal Wildlife Technician Assistant will be responsible for assisting Wildlife Te... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Budderfly | Columbus, OH

    Budderfly | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Saving the World.   Help Wanted…. Budderfly is a fast-growth, private equity-backed energy management outsourcing company... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Nationwide Childrens Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Nationwide Childrens Hospital | Columbus, OH

    Pharmacy Technician Trainee. Must be currently registered with the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee. Expected to obtain PTCB o... more

    9 Days Ago

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FAQ about Assistant Technician (Trainee)

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Assistant Technician (Trainee)?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Assistant Technician (Trainee) roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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