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Instrument Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

St Mary Medical Center

Instrument Tech

Long Beach, CA

$25.27 - $31.76/hr

Job Summary and Responsibilities As our Certified Instrument Tech, you will ensure the availability, cleanliness, and functionality of surgical instruments and equipment. Every day, you will ...

St Mary Medical Center

Instrument Tech

Long Beach, CA

$25.27 - $31.76/hr

Job Summary and Responsibilities As our Certified Instrument Tech, you will ensure the availability, cleanliness, and functionality of surgical instruments and equipment. Every day, you will ...

CommonSpirit Health

Instrument Tech

Long Beach, CA

One California As our Certified Instrument Tech, you will ensure the availability, cleanliness, and functionality of surgical instruments and equipment. Every day, you will meticulously clean ...

Muon Space

Manager, Instrument AIT

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$184K - $202K/yr

About the role Muon seeks a Manager of Instrument Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) to build, mentor, and guide a multidisciplinary team of optical integration engineers, optical and camera test ...

New

Muon Space

Manager, Instrument AIT

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$184K - $202K/yr

About the role Muon seeks a Manager of Instrument Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) to build, mentor, and guide a multidisciplinary team of optical integration engineers, optical and camera test ...

CQ Partners

Hearing Instrument Specialist

Manteca, CA · On-site

$39K - $54K/yr

What We're Looking For: We're seeking an exceptional Hearing Instrument Specialist or Hearing Instrument Specialist Trainee to join our team of dedicated professionals. Are you passionate about ...

CQ Partners

Hearing Instrument Specialist

Manteca, CA · On-site

$41K - $56K/yr

What We're Looking For: We're seeking an exceptional Hearing Instrument Specialist or Hearing Instrument Specialist Trainee to join our team of dedicated professionals. Are you passionate about ...

AHMC Healthcare

INSTRUMENT TECH

Daly City, CA · On-site

$36.94/hr

Overview The Instrument Tech is responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing instrumentation used in providing surgical services. Assists as needed in ...

AHMC Healthcare

INSTRUMENT TECH

Daly City, CA · On-site

$36.94 - $39.55/hr

The Instrument Tech is responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing instrumentation used in providing surgical services. Assists as needed in running ...

AHMC Healthcare

INSTRUMENT TECH

Daly City, CA

Overview The Instrument Tech is responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, processing, assembling, storing, and distributing instrumentation used in providing surgical services. Assists as needed in ...

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All JobsInstrument JobsInstrument Jobs in California

Instrument information

See California salary details

$15

$29

$46

How much do instrument jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for instrument in California is $29.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.03 and $35.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by instrument technicians in industrial settings?

Instrument Technicians often work in environments where precision and safety are paramount, such as manufacturing plants or refineries. A common challenge is troubleshooting complex instrumentation systems under tight time constraints, especially during equipment malfunctions or plant shutdowns. Technicians must stay updated with rapidly evolving technology and adhere to strict safety and regulatory standards. Effective communication with engineers, operators, and other team members is essential to ensure seamless operations and minimize downtime.

What is the difference between Instrument vs Technician?

AspectInstrumentTechnician
Required CredentialsCertification in instrument calibration or maintenanceTechnical diploma or associate degree in related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing plants, field sitesManufacturing facilities, maintenance departments
Industry UsageUsed across industries like manufacturing, oil & gas, pharmaceuticalsCommonly employed in maintenance and repair roles within similar industries
Job FocusCalibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentsInstalling, repairing, and servicing equipment and instruments

In summary, an Instrument primarily focuses on calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of measurement devices, often requiring specialized certifications. A Technician, on the other hand, handles installation, repair, and maintenance of a broader range of equipment, including instruments, usually with a technical diploma. Both roles are vital in industrial settings but differ in scope and specific responsibilities.

What is an instrument technician?

Instrument technicians are skilled professionals responsible for installing, maintaining, calibrating, and repairing instruments and control systems used in industrial and manufacturing settings. These instruments may include sensors, gauges, control devices, and monitoring equipment that help ensure processes run safely and efficiently. Instrument technicians often work in industries such as oil and gas, chemical manufacturing, power generation, and pharmaceuticals. Their tasks are crucial for maintaining product quality, safety standards, and operational efficiency.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an instrumentation engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Instrumentation Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical or instrumentation engineering, strong analytical skills, and often a bachelor's degree in a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), SCADA systems, and relevant certifications like ISA CAP can be important. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help you stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure the precise operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of complex control and instrumentation systems in industrial settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Instrument jobs in California?

The most popular types of Instrument jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Instrument jobs?

Cities in California with the most Instrument job openings:

Instrument jobs near you
Infographic showing various Instrument job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,921 per year, or $29.8 per hour.

Instrument Technician

APN Software Services Inc

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

Contractor

Re-posted 23 days ago

Job description

Job title: Instrument Technician

Duration: 6 months, with potential extension based on performance and business needs

Location: South San Francisco, CA

Qualifications:

0–5 years of relevant experience

Local candidates preferred

Job Description:

This is 40 hours per week, day shift provides lab and analytical

support of early phase development of small molecule pharmaceuticals. The successful candidate will perform laboratory duties such as solution preparations, instrument calibration and analytical instrument setup. This is an analytical lab technician position and does not include any operational manufacturing duties.

Responsibilities:

● Maintaining instruments in a ready state for users

● Preparing reagents

● Scheduling preventative maintenance (PM) and repairs with system owners, vendors and Facilities & Instrument Services

● Coordinating with Facilities & Instrument Services to create repetitive maintenance plans.

● Conducting routine inspections of the labs to ensure compliance with local housekeeping and Environment, Health and Safety practices.

● Performing routine testing using GC, HPLC, KF

Analytical Techniques/Instrumentation:

● HPLC

● SFC

● Karl Fischer titrations

● pH

● Wet Chemistry (USP)

Requirements:

Candidates should have completed college level general chemistry classes. Candidates may have an associate’s degree or be working towards a bachelor degree. Candidates must be technically minded and detail oriented. Good problem solving and communication skills are a must. Candidates should have good written and oral communication skills, and work well in a dynamic environment and with minimal supervision.

Interview Process:

Round 1: Virtual panel interview (technical questions included)

Round 2: Possible in-person interview (if needed)

Soft Skills:

Strong communication skills (ability to clearly articulate ideas and participate in discussions)

Attention to detail and ability to work collaboratively


APN Software services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.”