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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 September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Operations Assistant in the United States is $59,033 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): $70,330
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $53,129 to $64,946
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $47,753
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): $56,657
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $57,965
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $60,265
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $60,511
  • Expert (over 8 years): $60,676
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Lab Operations Assistant less than 1 year $56,657
Early Career Level Lab Operations Assistant 1-2 years $57,965
Mid-Level Level Lab Operations Assistant 2-4 years $60,265
Senior-Level Level Lab Operations Assistant 5-8 years $60,511
Expert Level Lab Operations Assistant over 8 years $60,676

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: $65,361.
  • California: $65,113.
  • Massachusetts: $64,246.

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: $74,458
  • San Francisco: $73,643
  • Oakland: $72,091

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 $82,646 $40.0 40%
Financial Services $76,743 $37.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $76,743 $37.0 30%
Biotechnology $70,839 $34.0 20%
Healthcare $70,839 $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 September 01, 2026
$53,129
Average $59,033/year
$64,946
$4,427
Average $4,919/month
$5,412
$1,022
Average $1,135/week
$1,249
$26
Average $28/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $64,946 $5,412 $1,249 $31
Average $59,033 $4,919 $1,135 $28
25th Percentile $53,129 $4,427 $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.

  • Unissant | Ashburn, VA

    Enterprise IT Operations Manager

    Unissant | Ashburn, VA

    Job Description. Job Description. Unissant, Inc. delivers innovative capabilities to the agencies that keep our nation healthy and safe. We apply our domai... more

    6 Days Ago

  • EOS | Ashburn, VA

    Field Operations Team Lead

    EOS | Ashburn, VA

    Job Description. Job Description. OUR COMPANY. EOS IT Solutions is a Global Technology and Logistics company, providing Collaboration and Business IT Suppo... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Gecko Hospitality | Ashburn, VA

    Corporate Chef Foodservice Operations

    Gecko Hospitality | Ashburn, VA

    Gecko Hospitality - - Responsibilities: Oversee culinary standards and quality assurance programs across multiple client sites in various states. Lead menu... more

    6 Days Ago

  • CloudHQ LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Electrical Operations Manager

    CloudHQ LLC | Ashburn, VA

    Job Description. Job Description. Description.  . Who We Are . Our purpose at CloudHQ is to provide flexible, efficient and resilient data center solutions... more

    7 Days Ago

  • E2 Optics | Ashburn, VA

    Regional Operations Manager

    E2 Optics | Ashburn, VA

    Job Description. Job Description. Overview. Join our team and shape the future of connectivity: Regional Operations Manager at E2 Optics.  . Are you ready ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Alo Yoga | Ashburn, VA

    Operations Lead

    Alo Yoga | Ashburn, VA

    Operations Lead - One Loudoun. Ashburn, Virginia, United States. Mindful movement. It's at the core of why we do what we do at ALOit's our calling. Because... more

    7 Days 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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