What are the main factors that influence a Lab Operations Director's salary?

The primary factors are: 1) Experience Level, 2) Geographic Location, 3) Education/Skills, 4) Company Size & Industry

What industry pays the highest salary for Lab Operations Director?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Lab Operations Director roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

How does experience change A Lab Operations Director's salary?

A Lab Operations Director's salary grows with experience: a Clinical Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years)earns $84,944, a Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor (3-5 years)earns $100,239, a Clinical Laboratory Manager (5+ years)earns $122,235, a Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager (5+ years)earns $148,366, a Lab Operations Director (5+ years)earns $173,882,

What are the highest paying states for a Lab Operations Director?

Lab Operations Director salary varies significantly by state. The top 3 highest paying states for Lab Operations Director roles are District of Columbia $190,123, California $189,403, Massachusetts $186,883. These tech hubs typically pay 10-15% above the national average.

How much do different types of Lab Operations Director roles make?

Salaries for Lab Operations Director level roles vary by specialization: Director Of Lab Operations: $168,162; Assistant Lab Director: $147,596; Lab Operations Senior Manager: $146,590; Lab Director: $144,525; Lab Operations Manager: $120,723.

Lab Operations Director Salary in Delaware

How much does a Lab Operations Director make in Delaware?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Operations Director in Delaware is $173,903 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.

However, a Lab Operations Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

Top Earners (90th percentile): $205,368
Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $150,663 to $190,373
Entry-Level (10th percentile): $129,504

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Lab Operations Director Salaries by Percentile

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$190,373	$15,864	$3,661	$92
Average	$173,903	$14,492	$3,344	$84
25th Percentile	$150,663	$12,555	$2,897	$72

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Key Factors That Influence Lab Operations Director Salaries

A Lab Operations Director'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lab Operations Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Operations Director'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:

Clinical Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years): $84,944
Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $100,239
Clinical Laboratory Manager (5+ years): $122,235
Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager (5+ years): $148,366
Lab Operations Director (5+ years): $173,882

Job Role	Years of Experience	Average Salary
Clinical Laboratory Supervisor	4+ years	$84,944
Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor	3-5 years	$100,239
Clinical Laboratory Manager	5+ years	$122,235
Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager	5+ years	$148,366
Lab Operations Director	5+ years	$173,882

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What Am I Worth?

How Do Lab Operations Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Lab Operations Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

District of Columbia: $190,123.
California: $189,403.
Massachusetts: $186,883.

District of Columbia $190,123 California $189,403 Massachusetts $186,883 Washington $186,193 New Jersey $186,123 Alaska $185,883 Connecticut $183,513 New York $182,553

Hawaii $179,483 Rhode Island $178,033 Maryland $177,063 Minnesota $175,723 Colorado $175,203 Illinois $175,033 Oregon $174,383 Delaware $173,903

New Hampshire $173,593 Virginia $172,923 Pennsylvania $170,943 Nevada $169,953 North Dakota $169,623 Michigan $169,113 Wisconsin $168,923 Vermont $168,543

Texas $167,493 Maine $167,423 Arizona $167,323 Ohio $167,203 Georgia $165,623 Indiana $164,833 Wyoming $164,683 Utah $164,443

Iowa $164,333 Kansas $163,513 Louisiana $163,273 North Carolina $163,183 Missouri $163,153 Florida $162,483 Montana $162,123 Nebraska $161,773

Kentucky $161,593 South Carolina $160,903 Tennessee $160,473 Idaho $160,303 New Mexico $159,043 Oklahoma $158,773 Alabama $157,763 South Dakota $156,063

Arkansas $155,133 West Virginia $154,633 Mississippi $153,143

Top Paying Cities for Lab Operations Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

Lincoln: $173,113
Little Creek: $174,383
Magnolia: $174,133

Lincoln, DE $173,113 Little Creek, DE $174,383 Magnolia, DE $174,133 Milford, DE $173,553 Marydel, DE $173,843 Millsboro, DE $172,393 Millville, DE $172,653 Milton, DE $172,953

Nassau, DE $173,083 Ocean View, DE $172,623 Rehoboth Beach, DE $172,963 Seaford, DE $173,053 Selbyville, DE $172,343 Smyrna, DE $174,503 Viola, DE $173,703 Woodside, DE $174,163

Bear, DE $173,763 Newark, DE $173,703 Claymont, DE $174,053 Delaware City, DE $173,873 Hockessin, DE $173,683 Kirkwood, DE $173,843 Middletown, DE $173,913 Montchanin, DE $173,723

New Castle, DE $173,753 Odessa, DE $173,993 Port Penn, DE $174,113 Rockland, DE $173,743 Saint Georges, DE $173,853 Townsend, DE $174,123 Winterthur, DE $173,763 Lewes, DE $173,023

Wilmington, DE $173,693 Dover, DE $174,383 Dover Afb, DE $173,463 Bethany Beach, DE $172,443 Bethel, DE $172,623 Bridgeville, DE $173,033 Camden Wyoming, DE $173,893 Cheswold, DE $174,323

Clayton, DE $174,333 Dagsboro, DE $172,323 Delmar, DE $172,053 Ellendale, DE $172,573 Felton, DE $173,543 Fenwick Island, DE $172,363 Frankford, DE $172,063 Frederica, DE $173,713

Georgetown, DE $172,263 Greenwood, DE $173,063 Harbeson, DE $172,443 Harrington, DE $173,323 Hartly, DE $173,863 Houston, DE $173,073 Kenton, DE $174,343 Laurel, DE $172,153

Yorklyn, DE $173,733

Lab Operations Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Lab Operations Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $194,509. While startup companies pay approximate $164,497.

Lab Operations Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size	Employees	Average Salary
Startup	1~50	$164,497
Growth Stage	51~500	$173,981
Established	501~5000	$187,836
Enterprise	5000+	$194,509

Lab Operations Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Operations Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 101% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Lab Operations Director positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Operations Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Operations Director

Industry Sector	Average Annual Salary	Average Hourly Rate	Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking	$243,464	$117.0	40%
Pharmaceuticals	$234,769	$113.0	35%
Financial Services	$217,379	$105.0	25%
Biotechnology	$208,684	$100.0	20%
Internet	$208,684	$100.0	20%

Lab Operations Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Operations Director'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 July 01, 2026

$150,663

Average $173,903/year

$190,373

$12,555

Average $14,492/month

$15,864

$2,897

Average $3,344/week

$3,661

$72

Average $84/hour

$92

	Annual Salary	Monthly Pay	Weekly Pay	Hourly Wage
75th Percentile	$190,373	$15,864	$3,661	$92
Average	$173,903	$14,492	$3,344	$84
25th Percentile	$150,663	$12,555	$2,897	$72

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