As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Laboratory Manager in the United States is $120,710 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Research Laboratory Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Research 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 Research 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Laboratory Supervisor | 4+ years | $83,879 |
| Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor | 3-5 years | $98,982 |
| Research Laboratory Manager | 5+ years | $120,702 |
| Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager | 5+ years | $146,505 |
| Research Laboratory Director | 5+ years | $171,701 |
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 Research 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
|
$126,746 |
5%
|
|
Quality Management
|
$125,538 |
4%
|
|
Pathology
|
$125,538 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$125,538 |
4%
|
|
Accountability
|
$125,538 |
4%
|
|
Presentation
|
$125,538 |
4%
|
Research Laboratory Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $135,013. While startup companies pay approximate $114,181.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $114,181 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $120,764 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $130,381 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $135,013 |
For Research Laboratory 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, Research Laboratory Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Laboratory Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $144,852 | $70.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $138,816 | $67.0 | 15% |
| Media | $135,195 | $65.0 | 12% |
| Telecom | $133,988 | $64.0 | 11% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $132,781 | $64.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research 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 Research Laboratory Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $111,734 and $120,020).
Research 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 Research 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 July 01, 2026For a Research Laboratory 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 21% over your current level.
Salaries for a Research 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 Research 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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The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Laboratory Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
The highest paying job can vary, but positions like Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Psychiatrist, and Anesthesiologist often top the list. For example, a Research Laboratory Manager can earn a salary ranging from $108,010 to $141,680, with a median salary of $124,060, reflecting the competitive nature of high-paying roles in the medical and scientific fields.
In Florida, a Research Laboratory Manager typically earns between $108,010 and $141,680 annually. The average salary is around $124,060, reflecting a more accurate range compared to the broader data, which shows salaries from $52,300 to $100,137. This indicates a higher earning potential for this role in the state.
Labcorp Lab Managers can expect a salary range based on the following data: the minimum salary is $108,010, the mid-range salary is $124,060, and the maximum salary is $141,680. This reflects a competitive compensation structure for this role in the industry.
The highest salary for a Research Laboratory Manager is $141,680 per year. This role involves overseeing laboratory operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and managing research projects. Salaries typically range from a minimum of $108,010 to a midpoint of $124,060, reflecting the importance and complexity of the position.
The highest paid laboratory job is the Research Laboratory Manager, with a salary range of $108,010 to $141,680 per year. The median salary for this position is approximately $124,060. Other high-paying roles in the field include Clinical Scientist and Clinical Laboratory Technologist, but the Research Laboratory Manager stands out for its competitive compensation.
A Principal Investigator (PI) is the leader of a research lab. They formulate the scientific questions the lab investigates and supervise the research activities of each lab member. In academic settings, PIs are typically faculty members. The salary for a Research Laboratory Manager ranges from $108,010 to $141,680, with a median salary of $124,060.
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