Lab Automation Engineer Salary in California

How much does a Lab Automation Engineer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Automation Engineer in California is $95,898 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, a Lab Automation Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $117,618
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,251 to $107,267
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,289

Key Factors That Influence Lab Automation Engineer Salaries

A Lab Automation Engineer'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lab Automation Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Automation Engineer'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): $91,159
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $91,375
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,319
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $98,740
  • Expert (over 8 years): $99,056
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Lab Automation Engineer less than 1 year $91,159
Early Career Level Lab Automation Engineer 1-2 years $91,375
Mid-Level Level Lab Automation Engineer 2-4 years $94,319
Senior-Level Level Lab Automation Engineer 5-8 years $98,740
Expert Level Lab Automation Engineer over 8 years $99,056

Top Paying Cities for Lab Automation Engineer

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:

  • Los Angeles: $96,063
  • West Hollywood: $95,993
  • Dodgertown: $96,062

Lab Automation Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Automation Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lab Automation Engineer positions in Business Services or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Automation Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Automation Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $115,077 $55.0 20%
Construction $105,488 $51.0 10%

Lab Automation Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Automation Engineer'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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$88,251
Average $95,898/year
$107,267
$7,354
Average $7,991/month
$8,939
$1,697
Average $1,844/week
$2,063
$42
Average $46/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $107,267 $8,939 $2,063 $52
Average $95,898 $7,991 $1,844 $46
25th Percentile $88,251 $7,354 $1,697 $42

Find Your Next Lab Automation Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Automation Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Cynet Systems | Santa Clara, CA

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    Software EngineerPay Range :$55hr - $65hrSoftware Engineer - responsible for designing and developing software tools to automate ultra mobility processor -... more

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  • SIX SIGMA/Winslow Automation Inc. | Milpitas, CA

    SIX SIGMA/Winslow Automation Inc. | Milpitas, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Company Description: Six Sigma Microelectronics (the services division of Winslow Automation, Inc.) is the industry exper... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Foxconn Industrial Internet - FII | San Jose, CA

    Foxconn Industrial Internet - FII | San Jose, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Automation Engineer (NVD)      . Locations. San Jose (NVD)   . Business Units. CESBG   . Job Classification. Exempt   . S... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Urrly | San Francisco, CA

    Urrly | San Francisco, CA

    AI Automation EngineerRemote Full-time U.S.OnlyAbout the Team and RoleA Health-Tech company that has raised over $100M in funding is hiring their first AI ... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Varite | San Francisco, CA

    Varite | San Francisco, CA

    Job TitlePay Range:USD 63.00/hr - USD 75.65/hrQualifications:Citizenship:GC, USCOnsite/Hybrid/Remote:Hybrid out of SF-2-3 days per week onsite.Industry Exp... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Impulse Space | Redondo Beach, CA

    Impulse Space | Redondo Beach, CA

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