As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Laboratory Supervisor in the United States is $83,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, a Research Laboratory Supervisor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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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.
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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Research Laboratory Coordinator | 2-4 years | $62,234 |
| Research Laboratory Supervisor | 4+ years | $83,855 |
| Clinical Laboratory Senior Supervisor | 3-5 years | $98,960 |
| Clinical Laboratory Manager | 5+ years | $120,629 |
| Clinical Lab Services Senior Manager | 5+ years | $146,432 |
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 Supervisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 9.2% |
| Clinical Services | 3% |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 1.69% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Service Delivery
|
$103,185 |
23%
|
|
CPR
|
$99,829 |
19%
|
|
Clinical Services
|
$93,957 |
12%
|
|
Pediatric
|
$93,118 |
11%
|
|
Psychiatric
|
$88,923 |
6%
|
|
Home Care
|
$88,923 |
6%
|
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
| 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% |
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 January 01, 2026For 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 $99,000 - a projected growth of 18% over your current level.
Salaries for a Research Laboratory Supervisor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $69,568 in 2023 to around $67,937 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research Laboratory Supervisor salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $69,568 |
| 2024 | $68,739 |
| 2025 | $67,937 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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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.
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.
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.
The highest salary that a Research Laboratory Supervisor can earn is $97,890 per year.
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.
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.
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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