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Lab Operations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Lab Operations Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Operations Manager in the United States is $133,633 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $157,972
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $119,013 to $146,373
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,702
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lab Operations Manager Salaries

A Lab Operations 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.

How Experience Level Affects Lab Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Operations 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:

  • Clinical Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years): $95,033
  • Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $111,138
  • Lab Operations Manager (5+ years): $133,620
  • Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager (5+ years): $146,541
  • Research Laboratory Director (5+ years): $171,682
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Clinical Laboratory Supervisor4+ years$95,033
Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor3-5 years$111,138
Lab Operations Manager5+ years$133,620
Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager5+ years$146,541
Research Laboratory Director5+ years$171,682
View as Graph

How Do Lab Operations Manager 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $147,963.
  • California: $147,403.
  • Massachusetts: $145,433.

Top Paying Cities for Lab Operations Managers

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:

  • San Jose: $168,553
  • San Francisco: $166,703
  • Oakland: $163,193

What Skills Can Increase a Lab Operations Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 6.98% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Calibration (Mentioned in 2.56% Job Postings): In measurement technology and metrology, calibration is the comparison of measurement values delivered by a device under test with those of a calibration standard of known accuracy. Such a standard could be another measurement device of known accuracy, a device generating the quantity to be measured such as a voltage, a sound tone, or a physical artefact, such as a metre ruler. The outcome of the comparison can result in one of the following: no significant error being noted on the device under test a significant error being noted but no adjustment made an adjustment made to correct the error to an acceptable levelStrictly speaking, the term "calibration" means just the act of comparison, and does not include any subsequent adjustment. The calibration standard is normally traceable to a national standard held by a national metrological body.
  • Regulatory Compliance (Mentioned in 1.77% Job Postings): Monitoring strict adherence of all organizational processes and procedures to applicable laws and regulations.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 6.98%
Calibration 2.56%
Regulatory Compliance 1.77%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lab Operations Manager's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Quality Management: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Pathology: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $140,315
5%
Quality Management $138,978
4%
Pathology $138,978
4%
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Lab Operations Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Lab Operations Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $149,187. While startup companies pay approximate $126,324.

Lab Operations Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $126,324
Growth Stage 51~500 $133,571
Established 501~5000 $144,052
Enterprise 5000+ $149,187

Lab Operations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Operations Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 51% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lab Operations Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Operations Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Operations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$160,360$77.020%
Energy & Utilities$153,678$74.015%
Media$149,669$72.012%
Telecom$148,333$71.011%
Aerospace & Defense$146,996$71.010%

How Education impacts a Lab Operations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lab Operations 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 Lab Operations Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $111,747 and $120,033).

Lab Operations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lab Operations Manager
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%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Lab Operations 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 October 01, 2026
$119,013
Average $133,633/year
$146,373
$9,918
Average $11,136/month
$12,198
$2,289
Average $2,570/week
$2,815
$57
Average $64/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $146,373 $12,198 $2,815 $70
Average $133,633 $11,136 $2,570 $64
25th Percentile $119,013 $9,918 $2,289 $57

Lab Operations Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Lab Operations Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Lab Operations Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $146,600 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Lab Operations Manager

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Lab Operations Manager

Here are companies hiring for Lab Operations Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lab Operations Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lab Operations Manager?

The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Lab Operations Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Is an Operations Manager higher than HR?

An Operations Manager typically earns a higher salary than an HR Manager. For instance, the salary range for a Lab Operations Manager is between $108,023 and $141,693, with a midpoint of $124,073. This reflects the broader responsibilities and impact on overall business operations compared to the more focused role of HR management.

3. Is an Operations Manager higher than HR?

An Operations Manager typically earns a higher salary than an HR Manager. For instance, the salary range for a Lab Operations Manager is between $108,023 and $141,693, with a midpoint of $124,073. This reflects the broader responsibilities and impact on overall business operations compared to the more focused role of HR management.

4. What salary should I ask for as a Operations Manager?

As of now, the salary range for a Lab Operations Manager is between $108,023 and $141,693 annually, with a midpoint of $124,073. When negotiating your salary, consider aiming for a figure within this range based on your experience and qualifications.

5. How much do lab managers make in the US?

Lab Operations Managers in the US earn between $108,023 and $141,693 annually, with a median salary of $124,073. This translates to a weekly pay range of approximately $2,077 to $2,724, reflecting the competitive nature of this role in the laboratory sector.

6. What is a lab operations manager?

A Lab Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing daily laboratory operations to ensure accurate and timely results while maintaining a safe and efficient work environment. This role involves operational laboratory management. The salary for this position typically ranges from $108,023 to $141,693, with a midpoint of $124,073.

7. What is the highest salary for an operations manager?

The highest salary for a Lab Operations Manager is $141,693. The median salary is $124,073, while the minimum salary starts at $108,023. This reflects a competitive compensation structure within the field, highlighting the value of experienced professionals in lab operations management.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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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