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Assistant Lab Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Bureau Veritas

$16 - $18/hr

This position reports to Lab Manager or Assistant Lab Manager. Education and Experience Requirements High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and one to three years related experience ...

Intellectt INC

Lab Technician/Shipping

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$23 - $30.50/hr

... Assistant to support daily operations in a dynamic pre-clinical biotechnology laboratory. This role works closely with Scientists, Research Associates, and the Lab Manager, providing hands-on ...

Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc.

Lab Technician - Newark, CA

Newark, CA · On-site

$21.25 - $28.50/hr

Additionally, the successful candidate may need to assist with sample analysis of other products as ... This position will report to the lab manager or supervisor Essential Functions Essential Function ...

Agendia

Clinical Laboratory Scientist l/ll

Irvine, CA · On-site

Consults with the Lab Director, Lab Ops Director or Lab Manager regarding the daily work flow of ... Register results and data in lab journal and LIMS * Assist other personnel and departments when ...

Agendia

Clinical Laboratory Scientist l/ll

Irvine, CA · On-site

Consults with the Lab Director, Lab Ops Director or Lab Manager regarding the daily work flow of ... Register results and data in lab journal and LIMS * Assist other personnel and departments when ...

Agendia, Inc

Clinical Laboratory Scientist l/ll

Irvine, CA · On-site

$48 - $53/hr

Consults with the Lab Director, Lab Ops Director or Lab Manager regarding the daily work flow of ... Register results and data in lab journal and LIMS * Assist other personnel and departments when ...

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Assistant Lab Manager information

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$10

$19

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How much do assistant lab manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant lab manager in California is $19.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $22.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Assistant Lab Managers?

Assistant Lab Managers are professionals who help oversee the daily operations of a laboratory. They assist the Lab Manager with organizing workflow, maintaining equipment, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and supervising staff or students. Their responsibilities may also include inventory management, training new personnel, and supporting research activities. Assistant Lab Managers play a key role in maintaining an efficient, safe, and organized laboratory environment.

What are some common challenges faced by an Assistant Lab Manager, and how can they be effectively addressed?

Assistant Lab Managers often face challenges such as balancing administrative duties with hands-on lab work, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and managing diverse teams. Effective communication, strong organizational skills, and staying updated on regulatory standards are key to overcoming these challenges. Building strong relationships with staff and fostering a culture of safety and collaboration can also help create a productive and supportive work environment.

How much does an assistant lab manager make?

The average salary for an assistant lab manager typically ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often require knowledge of laboratory procedures, safety protocols, and sometimes certifications in relevant fields.

What is the difference between Assistant Lab Manager vs Lab Technician?

AspectAssistant Lab ManagerLab Technician
CredentialsAssociate's or Bachelor's degree in science or related fieldHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles require certification
Work EnvironmentSupervisory role overseeing lab operationsPerforming tests and maintaining lab equipment
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in lab management, coordinating workflows, ensuring safety complianceConducting experiments, recording data, maintaining supplies

The Assistant Lab Manager and Lab Technician roles share similar educational backgrounds and work in laboratory settings. However, the Assistant Lab Manager typically has additional responsibilities related to overseeing lab operations and supporting management functions, whereas Lab Technicians focus on executing tests and maintaining equipment. Both roles are essential in laboratory environments, but they differ in scope and level of supervision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Lab Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Lab Manager, you need a background in laboratory science, strong organizational skills, and experience with lab protocols, often supported by a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with laboratory management software, safety compliance systems, and inventory management tools is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills help you effectively support staff and maintain smooth lab operations. These skills ensure labs run efficiently, safely, and in compliance with regulations, directly impacting research quality and productivity.

What is the highest paying job in a laboratory?

In a laboratory setting, the highest paying roles are often senior scientists, laboratory directors, or principal investigators, who typically hold advanced degrees and extensive experience. These positions involve overseeing research projects, managing teams, and ensuring compliance with regulations, often commanding salaries significantly higher than entry-level positions.

What qualifications do you need to be a lab manager?

A lab manager typically needs a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, or engineering, along with several years of laboratory experience. Strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills are essential, and certifications like OSHA safety training or laboratory management courses can be beneficial.

Is lab manager a stressful job?

A lab manager role can be stressful due to responsibilities such as overseeing daily operations, ensuring safety compliance, and managing staff and resources. The level of stress often depends on the size of the lab, workload, and deadlines, but strong organizational and communication skills can help manage these pressures.
What cities in California are hiring for Assistant Lab Manager jobs? Cities in California with the most Assistant Lab Manager job openings:
Assistant Lab Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Assistant Lab Manager job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,562 per year, or $20 per hour.

Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer

Aetherflux

San Carlos, CA • On-site

$145K - $223K/yr

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to power and connect the orbital economy. Our satellites operate in Low Earth Orbit to collect sunlight and enable a new class of capabilities-from powering on-orbit compute, to transmitting energy via infrared lasers (space-to-earth and space-to-space), powering on-orbit compute to delivering secure, high-bandwidth optical data. By rethinking how energy and data are generated and distributed in space, we're unlocking entirely new ways to operate both in orbit and on Earth.
Founded in 2024 by Baiju Bhatt (co-founder of Robinhood), Cowboy Space Corp. is backed by leading investors and built by a team from top aerospace and defense organizations. We're moving quickly to solve complex technical challenges and build a new category of space infrastructure.
About the Role:
The Integration & Test team is looking for an Optics Lab Manager & Test Engineer to own our optics lab and support the build and verification of our next generation laser communications system. This is a hands-on role at the center of our hardware development - you will work directly alongside optical and photonics engineers during complex builds, alignments, and verification campaigns. The ideal candidate is technically strong, highly organized, and at home in a high-power laser lab.
Responsibilities:
  • Own lab operations including equipment calibration schedules, inventory, and configuration management of test setups.
  • Maintain laser safety requirements including interlocks, PPE, and posted procedures in coordination with the Laser Safety Officer.
  • Assist engineers with setup and alignment of free-space optical assemblies, interferometric subassemblies, and fiber-optic components.
  • Support integration and alignment of deployable opto-mechanical assemblies.
  • Support field demonstration campaigns including ground station setup, fiber-optic system checkout, and pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) system validation.
  • Execute formal test procedures and record results accurately.
  • Operate test equipment including OSAs, optical power meters, oscilloscopes, BER testers, and beam profilers.
  • Maintain lab documentation including cable and fiber routing logs, component records, and test configurations.
  • Coordinate with facilities on lab infrastructure, power, and safety requirements.

Basic Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of hands-on experience in an optical or photonics lab environment.
  • Experience operating standard optical test equipment (OSAs, power meters, oscilloscopes, beam profilers).
  • Ability to perform precision optical alignment on a bench.
  • Familiarity with Class 3B and Class 4 laser safety requirements.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to documentation.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with high-power fiber laser or amplifier systems.
  • Experience handling and assembling precision opto-mechanical hardware including interferometric or polarization-sensitive assemblies.
  • Experience supporting environmental test campaigns (thermal-vacuum, vibration) for optical hardware.
  • Experience managing a shared lab across multiple engineers and programs.
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Optical Technology, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for this position is $145,000 - $223,000 annually. The actual base salary offered will depend on factors such as job-related skills, experience, qualifications, and internal equity.
  • Equity in Cowboy Space Corp.
  • Employees and their eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan
  • Paid time off
  • 10 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Paid parental leave
  • Relocation assistance if applicable
  • Daily lunch in the office and a fully stocked kitchen with beverages and snacks

ITAR Requirements
  • Export Control Requirement: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), applicants must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about ITAR here.

Disclaimer
This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Cowboy Space Corp.'s discretion.
Cowboy Space Corp. is an equal employment opportunity employer. We consider individuals for employment or promotion according to their skills, abilities and experience. Cowboy Space Corp. is committed to complying with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, physical, mental or developmental disability, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions relating to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), veteran status, military status, marital or registered domestic partnership status, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, as well as any other category protected by federal, state or local laws.

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