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Lab Operations Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Lab Operations Assistant make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Operations Assistant in the United States is $59,032 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,366
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,132 to $64,965
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,761
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Lab Operations Assistant Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Lab Operations Assistant Salaries

A Lab Operations Assistant'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 Lab Operations Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Operations Assistant'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): $56,654
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,961
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,268
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,515
  • Expert (over 8 years): $60,680
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Lab Operations Assistant less than 1 year $56,654
Early Career Level Lab Operations Assistant 1-2 years $57,961
Mid-Level Level Lab Operations Assistant 2-4 years $60,268
Senior-Level Level Lab Operations Assistant 5-8 years $60,515
Expert Level Lab Operations Assistant over 8 years $60,680

How Do Lab Operations Assistant Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lab Operations Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $65,360.
  • California: $65,112.
  • Massachusetts: $64,244.

Top Paying Cities for Lab Operations Assistant

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: $74,457
  • San Francisco: $73,642
  • Oakland: $72,090

Lab Operations Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Operations Assistant roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 110% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Lab Operations Assistant positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Operations Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Operations Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $82,645 $40.0 40%
Financial Services $76,741 $37.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $76,741 $37.0 30%
Biotechnology $70,838 $34.0 20%
Healthcare $70,838 $34.0 20%

How Education impacts a Lab Operations Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lab Operations Assistant 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 a Lab Operations Assistant with a high school is between $53,027 and $58,571.

Lab Operations Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lab Operations Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.3%
High School 15.9%
Associate's Degree 7.6%
Bachelor's Degree 68.8%
Master's Degree or MBA 6.8%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.6%
View as Graph

Lab Operations Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Operations Assistant'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 August 01, 2026
$53,132
Average $59,032/year
$64,965
$4,428
Average $4,919/month
$5,414
$1,022
Average $1,135/week
$1,249
$26
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,965 $5,414 $1,249 $31
Average $59,032 $4,919 $1,135 $28
25th Percentile $53,132 $4,428 $1,022 $26

Most common benefits for Lab Operations Assistant

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

Common company salaries for Lab Operations Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Lab Operations Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Lab Operations Assistant Job

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

  • Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Athletics Operations Assistant

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Athletics Operations Assistant. Department:Athletics Plant Maintenance-JM - As a member of the Athletic Department, a facility Operations Student Assistant... more

    6 Days Ago

  • REXEL INC | Columbus, OH

    Program Operations Assistant

    REXEL INC | Columbus, OH

    2200 Fairwood Avenue, Columbus, OHEmployment Type:Full-timeContract Type:PermanentJob Family:Supply Chain & WarehousingExperience Level (for career site):E... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Buckeye Franchising LLC | Columbus, OH

    Territory Operations Assistant

    Buckeye Franchising LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. JANI-KING of COLUMBUS is searching for a self-motivated, driven Operations Assistant. This dynamic individual will work t... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Temporary Dining Operations Assistant

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Temporary Dining Operations Assistant. The Dining Operations Assistant supports the dining operation (traditional cafeteria, grab and go service, retail, o... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Ohio Education Association | Columbus, OH

    Operations and Support Assistant

    Ohio Education Association | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. OEA represents more than 100,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Assistant General Counsel Health Plan Operations

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Assistant General Counsel, Health Plan Operations. About the Company. Progressive healthcare company providing Medicare Advantage plans. Industry. Hospital... more

    1 Month Ago

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FAQ about Lab Operations Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lab Operations Assistant?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Lab Operations Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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