Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Research Laboratory Supervisor Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Laboratory Supervisor in the United States is $95,090 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $116,105
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,790 to $106,090
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,233
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Research Laboratory Supervisor Salaries

A Research Laboratory 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 Research Laboratory Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Laboratory 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
  • Research Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years): $95,029
  • Clinical Laboratory 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
Research Laboratory Supervisor4+ years$95,029
Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor3-5 years$111,133
Clinical Laboratory Manager5+ years$133,614
Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager5+ years$146,529
View as Graph

How Do Research Laboratory 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 Research Laboratory Supervisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $105,290.
  • California: $104,890.
  • Massachusetts: $103,490.

Top Paying Cities for Research Laboratory 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: $119,890
  • San Francisco: $118,590
  • Oakland: $116,090

What Skills Can Increase a Research Laboratory Supervisor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.2% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Clinical Services (Mentioned in 3% Job Postings): The direct and/or indirect provision of medical and healthcare services at the Facility to or for the benefit of persons requesting or requiring such services;
  • Applied Behavior Analysis (Mentioned in 1.69% Job Postings): Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific approach to understanding behavior. ABA refers to a set of principles that focus on how behaviors change, or are affected by the environment, as well as how learning takes place.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.2%
Clinical Services 3%
Applied Behavior Analysis 1.69%
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 Research Laboratory Supervisor's salary.

  • Service Delivery: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • CPR: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Clinical Services: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Service Delivery $116,961
23%
CPR $113,157
19%
Clinical Services $106,501
12%
Get Latest Data

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

Research Laboratory Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $106,267. While startup companies pay approximate $89,891.

Research Laboratory Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $89,891
Growth Stage 51~500 $95,069
Established 501~5000 $102,614
Enterprise 5000+ $106,267

Research Laboratory Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Research Laboratory Supervisor roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Research Laboratory Supervisor positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Laboratory Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Research Laboratory Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$123,617$59.030%
Internet$114,108$55.020%
Energy & Utilities$109,353$53.015%
Aerospace & Defense$104,599$50.010%
Insurance$104,599$50.010%

How Education impacts a Research Laboratory Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Laboratory 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 Research Laboratory Supervisor with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $78,227 and $85,090).

Research Laboratory Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Laboratory Supervisor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 12.0%
Associates 12.0%
Bachelors 54.2%
Masters 20.5%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Research Laboratory 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
$86,790
Average $95,090/year
$106,090
$7,233
Average $7,924/month
$8,841
$1,669
Average $1,829/week
$2,040
$42
Average $46/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,090 $8,841 $2,040 $51
Average $95,090 $7,924 $1,829 $46
25th Percentile $86,790 $7,233 $1,669 $42

Research Laboratory Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

Research Laboratory Supervisor

Next Role

Advancement

For a Research Laboratory Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $111,200 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Research Laboratory Supervisor

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

Common company salaries for Research Laboratory Supervisor

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

Find Your Next Research Laboratory Supervisor Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Laboratory Supervisor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Research Laboratory Supervisor

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Laboratory Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How do research labs make money?

Research labs generate revenue through a mix of funding sources. They often rely on government grants, venture capital, and collaborations with nonprofit organizations or private foundations. Additionally, the salary for a Research Laboratory Supervisor typically ranges from $75,790 to $97,890, reflecting the importance of skilled leadership in managing these funding strategies effectively.

3. What is the boss of a lab called?

A laboratory manager, also known as a laboratory supervisor, oversees personnel and operations in a lab setting. This role is senior to that of a laboratory technician or technologist and falls within middle management. Salaries for this position typically range from $75,790 to $97,890, with a median salary of $86,690.

4. How much does a lab researcher get paid?

The salary for a Research Laboratory Supervisor typically ranges from $75,790 to $97,890 annually, with a mid-range salary of about $86,690. This indicates a competitive compensation compared to other lab researchers, who may earn higher salaries in certain states, such as California, where the average exceeds $111,000.

5. What is the highest lab salary?

The highest salary that a Research Laboratory Supervisor can earn is $97,890 per year.

6. What are the 5 roles of a research supervisor?

The research laboratory supervisor plays a crucial role in guiding research direction and standards, selecting research programs and topics, planning and timing research stages, advising on literature and sources, and overseeing research methods and techniques. The salary for this position ranges from $75,790 to $97,890, with a midpoint of $86,690.

7. What is the highest paying laboratory job?

The highest paying laboratory job is often the Research Laboratory Supervisor, with a salary range of approximately $75,790 to $97,890 per year. Other high-paying roles include Clinical Scientist, Clinical Technologist, and Clinical Lab Scientist, with salaries varying based on experience and specialization.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst
lower level job