Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT) Salary in California
Median annual base pay is $87,360 across 183 reported Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT) salaries in California.
Median hourly rate is $38.85 per hour.
Updated 23 August 2026
Salary Distribution (By Percentile)
| P10 | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $56,576 | $65,491 | $87,360 | $119,184 | $139,547 |
Top Cities in California
| City | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $139,110 | 16 |
| Merced | $99,320 | 6 |
| San Carlos | $98,301 | 6 |
| West Hills | $85,634 | 7 |
| San Diego | $74,069 | 5 |
| El Centro | $72,925 | 6 |
| Los Angeles | $72,800 | 7 |
| San Juan Capistrano | $56,576 | 43 |
Top Employers in California
| Employer | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Ucsf Medical Center | $141,939 | 5 |
| University of California, San Francisco | $136,510 | 5 |
| Sutter Bay Hospitals | $119,184 | 6 |
| Natera | $98,301 | 5 |
| Management Health Systems, LLC | $56,576 | 33 |
By Practice Setting
| Setting | Median | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Medical Center | $136,510 | 5 |
| Hospital Laboratory | $128,294 | 40 |
| Reference / Commercial Laboratory | $85,634 | 29 |
| Staffing / Travel Agency | $66,560 | 11 |
Common questions
How much does a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT) make in California?
The median Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT) salary in California is $87,360 per year, based on 183 reported salaries.
What is the hourly rate for a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT) in California?
The median reported rate is $38.85 per hour.
Which city in California pays Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT)s the most?
San Francisco has the highest median at $139,110 per year, of the cities with enough reports to publish a median.
Which employers pay Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT)s the most in California?
Of the employers with enough reports to publish a median, Ucsf Medical Center is highest at $141,939 per year.
Am I underpaid as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/MT)?
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