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Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor in the United States is $111,153 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $132,321
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $100,253 to $122,233
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,329

Key Factors That Influence Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salaries

A Lab Operations Senior Supervisor'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 Senior Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor'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:

  • Research Laboratory Coordinator (2-4 years): $62,285
  • Clinical Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years): $95,029
  • Lab Operations Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $111,133
  • Clinical Laboratory Manager (5+ years): $133,614
  • Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager (5+ years): $146,529
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Research Laboratory Coordinator2-4 years$62,285
Clinical Laboratory Supervisor4+ years$95,029
Lab Operations Senior Supervisor3-5 years$111,133
Clinical Laboratory Manager5+ years$133,614
Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager5+ years$146,529

How Do Lab Operations Senior Supervisor 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 Senior Supervisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $123,063.
  • California: $122,593.
  • Massachusetts: $120,963.

Top Paying Cities for Lab Operations Senior Supervisors

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: $140,193
  • San Francisco: $138,653
  • Oakland: $135,733

What Skills Can Increase a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6.72% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Microbiology (Mentioned in 3.54% Job Postings): Microbiology (from Greek μῑκρος, mīkros, "small"; βίος, bios, "life"; and -λογία, -logia) is the study of microorganisms, those being unicellular (single cell), multicellular (cell colony), or acellular (lacking cells). Microbiology encompasses numerous sub-disciplines including virology, parasitology, mycology and bacteriology. Eukaryotic microorganisms possess membrane-bound cell organelles and include fungi and protists, whereas prokaryotic organisms—all of which are microorganisms—are conventionally classified as lacking membrane-bound organelles and include Bacteria and Archaea. Microbiologists traditionally relied on culture, staining, and microscopy. However, less than 1% of the microorganisms present in common environments can be cultured in isolation using current means. Microbiologists often rely on molecular biology tools such as DNA sequence based identification, for example 16s rRNA gene sequence used for bacteria identification.
  • Laboratory Equipment (Mentioned in 1.91% Job Postings): Utilizing various tools and equipment to conduct scientific researches, teach practical science, or perform laboratory experiments.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6.72%
Microbiology 3.54%
Laboratory Equipment 1.91%

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 Senior Supervisor's salary.

  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Standard Operating Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Patient Care $116,711
5%
Innovation $115,599
4%
Standard Operating Procedures $115,599
4%

Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Lab Operations Senior Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $124,218. While startup companies pay approximate $105,076.

Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $105,076
Growth Stage 51~500 $111,128
Established 501~5000 $119,948
Enterprise 5000+ $124,218

Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lab Operations Senior Supervisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lab Operations Senior Supervisor positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Operations Senior Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$138,941$67.025%
Financial Services$133,384$64.020%
Energy & Utilities$127,826$61.015%
Internet$127,826$61.015%
Pharmaceuticals$127,826$61.015%

How Education impacts a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lab Operations Senior Supervisors 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 Senior Supervisor with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $93,944 and $99,973).

Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lab Operations Senior Supervisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 9.1%
High School 9.1%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 54.5%
Masters 29.1%
Doctorate 3.6%

Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor'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 September 01, 2026
$100,253
Average $111,153/year
$122,233
$8,354
Average $9,263/month
$10,186
$1,928
Average $2,138/week
$2,351
$48
Average $53/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $122,233 $10,186 $2,351 $59
Average $111,153 $9,263 $2,138 $53
25th Percentile $100,253 $8,354 $1,928 $48

Lab Operations Senior Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Clinical Laboratory Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $133,700 - a projected growth of 20% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Lab Operations Senior Supervisor

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

Common company salaries for Lab Operations Senior Supervisor

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

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FAQ about Lab Operations Senior Supervisor

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Lab Operations Senior Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much should I get paid as a supervisor?

As of January 16, 2025, the salary for a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor ranges from $91,353 to $114,173 annually, with a midpoint of $102,423. This reflects a competitive compensation structure, ensuring that supervisors are fairly rewarded for their expertise and responsibilities in the role.

3. What do senior operations managers do?

Senior Operations Managers oversee the efficient management of labor, productivity, quality control, and safety within a business. They are tasked with managing, motivating, and inspiring teams of employees. The salary for this role typically ranges from $91,353 to $114,173, with a midpoint of $102,423, reflecting the importance of their responsibilities.

4. What is the highest paying laboratory job?

One of the highest paying laboratory jobs is the Lab Operations Senior Supervisor, with a salary range of approximately $91,353 to $114,173 per year. This role often requires extensive experience and leadership skills, making it a lucrative option in the clinical laboratory field. Other high-paying positions include Clinical Scientist and Clinical Technologist.

5. How much do laboratory supervisors make in the US?

As of now, the salary range for a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor in the United States is between $91,353 and $114,173 annually, with a midpoint of $102,423. This translates to approximately $43.92 to $54.88 per hour, or $1,800 to $2,200 per week.

6. Which is higher operations manager or supervisor?

Managers typically hold a higher position in the organizational hierarchy compared to supervisors. For instance, a Lab Operations Senior Supervisor has a salary range from $91,353 to $114,173, while an Operations Manager generally earns more, reflecting their greater responsibilities and leadership roles within the company.

7. What is a senior operations supervisor?

A senior operations supervisor oversees departmental operations, ensuring efficiency and optimal performance. They manage staff, streamline processes, and address issues to maintain productivity. In terms of compensation, the salary for this role typically ranges from $91,353 to $114,173, with a midpoint of $102,423, reflecting the importance of their responsibilities.

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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