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How much do lab operations specialist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab operations specialist in California is $23.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $26.59 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lab operations specialist?

Lab Operations Specialists are professionals responsible for managing the daily activities and logistics within laboratory environments. They ensure that lab equipment is maintained, supplies are stocked, and all safety protocols are followed. Additionally, they often coordinate with researchers, oversee inventory management, and help implement standard operating procedures to keep the lab running efficiently. Their work is vital for supporting scientific research and guaranteeing a safe, organized workspace.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lab operations specialist?

To thrive as a Lab Operations Specialist, you need a solid background in laboratory procedures, safety protocols, inventory management, and a degree in a scientific discipline. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), calibration tools, and compliance standards like GLP or ISO is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help you efficiently manage workflows and support scientific teams. These competencies are essential for maintaining smooth laboratory operations, ensuring safety, and supporting high-quality research outcomes.

What are some common challenges faced by lab operations specialists, and how can they be overcome?

Lab Operations Specialists often face challenges such as managing multiple priorities, maintaining compliance with safety and regulatory standards, and ensuring smooth coordination among diverse teams. Staying organized, developing strong communication skills, and keeping up-to-date with industry protocols can help tackle these issues effectively. Proactively addressing equipment maintenance and fostering collaborative relationships with researchers and technicians also contribute to a well-functioning laboratory environment.

What is the difference between Lab Operations Specialist vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectLab Operations SpecialistLaboratory Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in a science or related fieldOften requires an associate degree or certification in laboratory techniques
Work EnvironmentSupports lab workflows, manages equipment, and ensures compliancePerforms tests, prepares samples, and records data
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across biotech, pharma, and research labs for operational rolesCommon in clinical, medical, and research laboratories for testing roles

The Lab Operations Specialist focuses on managing lab processes, equipment, and compliance, while the Laboratory Technician primarily conducts tests and prepares samples. Both roles are essential in laboratory settings but differ in responsibilities and required credentials.

Do you need a degree to be a lab operations specialist?

A degree is often preferred for a lab operations specialist role, but requirements vary by employer. Relevant skills such as laboratory techniques, attention to detail, and familiarity with lab equipment can sometimes substitute for formal education, especially with experience or certifications. Some positions may require a bachelor's degree in a related field like biology, chemistry, or biomedical sciences.

What are popular job titles related to Lab Operations Specialist jobs in California?

For Lab Operations Specialist jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Lab Operations Specialist jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Lab Operations Specialist jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Lab Operations Specialist jobs?

Cities in California with the most Lab Operations Specialist job openings:

Lab Operations Specialist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lab Operations Specialist job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,983 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

Laboratory Operations and EHS Specialist II

Bonneville Labs

South San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Job description

Bonneville Labs is a flexible coworking and traditional lab space operator and developer optimized for a community of Bio-Doers, emerging biotechnology companies, community partners, and life sciences market leaders. Bonneville Labs believes that research and development organizations can innovate faster when their mind-share is freed up from operations to focus on discovery and product development. Bonneville Labs seeks to improve our world and lives by eliminating operational hurdles and reducing the cost of research and development for our member companies and allowing them to go forward, faster toward world changing discoveries and businesses.
This role is dedicated to leading Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and Laboratory Operations projects that keep Bonneville Labs' shared-lab network safe, compliant, and running at peak efficiency. You will work both independently and alongside the broader Operations team to design, launch, and refine processes that provide member companies with the compliant workspace, services, and equipment they need to advance their research.
Responsibilities & Duties:
Customer Experience & Support
  • Collaborate with Bonneville Labs staff to provide an outstanding experience for our members.
  • Perform all duties and job functions associated with site operations (coordinators, technicians, etc.).
  • Proactively interact with customer scientists to identify and resolve issues with services, equipment, and supplies, using a ticket system to record and track progress.

EHS Projects & Compliance Leadership
  • Own the full lifecycle of cross-site EHS projects-from scoping and risk assessment through execution, verification, and close-out (e.g., chemical hygiene program upgrades, ergonomic improvements, emergency-response drills).
  • Conduct routine and ad-hoc EHS inspections; capture observations, assign CAPAs, and track them to verified closure.
  • Plan and facilitate monthly safety committee meetings; compile safety metrics and present trends, wins, and gaps to stakeholders.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for external regulators (Cal/OSHA, EPA, fire marshal) and for member companies seeking regulatory guidance.
  • Maintain chemical inventories, hazardous- and bio-waste programs, safety-equipment inspections (eyewash, shower, extinguisher), and SafetyAmp records.

Lab Operations Projects & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead multi-functional project teams (internal staff, vendors, and member scientists) to deliver lab-ops initiatives such as new equipment commissioning, space reconfigurations, and workflow automations.
  • Develop, update, and enforce Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that govern daily lab operations and EHS controls.
  • Drive lean/5S programs; establish KPIs that quantify uptime, turnaround, and compliance, and use them to prioritize improvement work.
  • Manage customer onboarding/offboarding, training on shared equipment, and change-management communications to ensure frictionless transitions.

Member Support & Service Quality
  • Act as a hands-on resource for troubleshooting equipment, supplies, and facilities issues, logging all actions through the ticketing system.
  • Deliver proactive walk-throughs to anticipate member needs and identify emerging risks or inefficiencies.
  • Champion a service-first culture, gathering user feedback and translating it into project charters for future enhancements.

Cross-Site Collaboration
  • Spend ~50 % of your time at alternate Bonneville Labs locations or client labs to align practices and roll out projects consistently.
  • Share lessons learned and best practices across sites, ensuring standardization and continuous improvement company-wide.

Qualifications / Requirements:
Minimum Education Level
  • Bachelor's Degree (BS) in Life Sciences or a related field.

Minimum Experience
  • 3 years of experience in a laboratory setting.
  • 1-2 years of experience in EHS
  • 3 years of experience in a customer-facing role is highly desirable.

Specific Skills
  • Organized, independent, team player.
  • Able to follow instructions accurately.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
  • Strong computer skills and customer service orientation.

Personal Characteristics
  • Able to work in a flexible and fast-paced environment that is constantly changing.

Certifications
  • None required, but EH&S, HazMat, and Bloodborne Pathogen training are highly desirable.

Travel
  • Must be able to travel between sites ~50% of the time.

Licenses
  • Valid driver's license required, as some travel between sites may be necessary.

Physical Abilities
  • Able to lift 50 lbs.
  • Work may involve walking, standing, bending, reaching, lifting, or carrying objects typically weighing less than 10 lbs.
  • Ability to perform duties with the highest regard for safety, quality, and site protocols or procedures.

Task Breakdown
  • EHS Projects & Compliance Leadership: 35%
  • Lab Operations: 30%
  • Member Support: 15%
  • Facility & Equipment Stewardship: 5%
  • Cross-Site Collaboration: 15%

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