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Research Laboratory Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Laboratory Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Laboratory Manager in the United States is $133,620 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $157,940
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $118,990 to $146,350
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,670

Key Factors That Influence Research Laboratory Manager Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Research Laboratory Manager Salaries?

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:

  • Clinical Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years): $95,029
  • Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $111,133
  • Research Laboratory Manager (5+ years): $133,614
  • Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager (5+ years): $146,529
  • Research Laboratory Director (5+ years): $171,688
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Clinical Laboratory Supervisor4+ years$95,029
Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor3-5 years$111,133
Research Laboratory Manager5+ years$133,614
Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager5+ years$146,529
Research Laboratory Director5+ years$171,688

Top Paying Cities for Research Laboratory 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: $168,530
  • San Francisco: $166,690
  • Oakland: $163,170

What Skills Can Increase a Research Laboratory 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%

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 Research Laboratory 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 $140,301
5%
Quality Management $138,965
4%
Pathology $138,965
4%

Research Laboratory Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $149,326. While startup companies pay approximate $126,315.

Research Laboratory Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $126,315
Growth Stage 51~500 $133,590
Established 501~5000 $144,193
Enterprise 5000+ $149,326

Research Laboratory Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a Research Laboratory Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Construction$160,344$77.020%
Energy & Utilities$153,663$74.015%
Media$149,654$72.012%
Telecom$148,318$71.011%
Aerospace & Defense$146,982$71.010%

How Education impacts a Research Laboratory Manager's Salary?

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

Typical Education for Research Laboratory 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%

Research Laboratory Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 September 01, 2026
$118,990
Average $133,620/year
$146,350
$9,916
Average $11,135/month
$12,196
$2,288
Average $2,570/week
$2,814
$57
Average $64/hour
$70
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $146,350 $12,196 $2,814 $70
Average $133,620 $11,135 $2,570 $64
25th Percentile $118,990 $9,916 $2,288 $57

Research Laboratory Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

For 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 10% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Research Laboratory Manager

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

Common company salaries for Research Laboratory Manager

Here are companies hiring for Research Laboratory Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Research Laboratory Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Research Laboratory Manager?

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

2. What is considered the highest paying job?

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.

3. How much does a research Lab Manager earn in Florida?

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.

4. How much do labcorp lab managers make?

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.

5. What is the highest salary for a clinical research manager?

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.

6. What is the highest paid laboratory job?

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.

7. What do you call the leader of a research lab?

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.

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.)

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