As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for a Laboratory Manager in the United States is $120,606 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Laboratory Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Laboratory Manager'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Manager'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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory Supervisor | 4+ years | $83,849 |
| Laboratory Senior Supervisor | 3-5 years | $98,954 |
| Laboratory Manager | 5+ years | $120,606 |
| Laboratory Senior Manager | 5+ years | $146,409 |
| Laboratory Director | 5+ years | $171,748 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Laboratory Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 6.98% |
| Calibration | 2.56% |
| Regulatory Compliance | 1.77% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Management
|
$126,636 |
5%
|
|
Pathology
|
$125,430 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$125,430 |
4%
|
|
Accountability
|
$125,430 |
4%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$124,224 |
3%
|
|
Innovation
|
$124,224 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laboratory Managers enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Laboratory Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $112,287 and $120,615).
Laboratory Manager Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 3.8% |
| Associates | 6.9% |
| Bachelors | 53.1% |
| Masters | 30.2% |
| Doctorate | 5.7% |
Understanding how a Laboratory Manager'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.
Last Updated on May 18, 2021For a Laboratory Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Laboratory Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $146,409 - a projected growth of 21% over your current level.
Salaries for a Laboratory Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $105,042 in 2023 to around $105,055 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Laboratory Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $105,042 |
| 2024 | $105,933 |
| 2025 | $105,055 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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A Laboratory Manager's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Laboratory Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Laboratory Manager is $152,120.
The highest pay for Laboratory Manager is $142,246.
The lowest pay for Laboratory Manager is $94,553.
Manages the daily activities of the laboratory. Develops laboratory policies and procedures and issues updates as needed. Plans and designs experiments. Estimates the time and resources needed to complete projects. Orders and inspects materials and equipment and maintains detailed and accurate inventory of lab supplies. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.
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.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
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