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Laboratory Senior Supervisor Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Senior Supervisor in the United States is $98,986 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $117,869
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $89,292 to $108,870
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $80,466

Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Senior Supervisor Salaries

A Laboratory 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 Laboratory Senior Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory 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:

  • Laboratory Coordinator (2-4 years): $62,279
  • Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years): $83,883
  • Laboratory Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $98,986
  • Laboratory Manager (5+ years): $120,714
  • Laboratory Senior Manager (5+ years): $146,517
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Laboratory Coordinator2-4 years$62,279
Laboratory Supervisor4+ years$83,883
Laboratory Senior Supervisor3-5 years$98,986
Laboratory Manager5+ years$120,714
Laboratory Senior Manager5+ years$146,517

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Senior Supervisor

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: $124,851
  • San Francisco: $123,484
  • Oakland: $120,882

What Skills Can Increase a Laboratory 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 Laboratory 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 $103,935
5%
Innovation $102,945
4%
Standard Operating Procedures $102,945
4%

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

Laboratory Senior Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $110,809. While startup companies pay approximate $93,742.

Laboratory Senior Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $93,742
Growth Stage 51~500 $99,143
Established 501~5000 $107,006
Enterprise 5000+ $110,809

Laboratory Senior Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laboratory 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, Laboratory Senior Supervisor positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Senior Supervisor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Senior Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$123,732$59.025%
Financial Services$118,783$57.020%
Energy & Utilities$113,834$55.015%
Internet$113,834$55.015%
Pharmaceuticals$113,834$55.015%

How Education impacts an Laboratory Senior Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laboratory Senior Supervisor enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Laboratory Senior Supervisor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $96,151 and $102,115.

Laboratory Senior Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Laboratory 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%

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

Understanding how a Laboratory 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 August 01, 2026
$89,292
Average $98,986/year
$108,870
$7,441
Average $8,249/month
$9,073
$1,717
Average $1,904/week
$2,094
$43
Average $48/hour
$52
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $108,870 $9,073 $2,094 $52
Average $98,986 $8,249 $1,904 $48
25th Percentile $89,292 $7,441 $1,717 $43

Laboratory Senior Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Laboratory Senior Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Laboratory Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $120,714 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Laboratory Senior Supervisor

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

Common company salaries for Laboratory Senior Supervisor

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

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FAQ about Laboratory Senior Supervisor

1. Where can a Laboratory Senior Supervisor earn the most?

A Laboratory Senior Supervisor's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Laboratory Senior Supervisor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Laboratory Senior Supervisor is $124,851.

2. What is the highest pay for Laboratory Senior Supervisor?

The highest pay for Laboratory Senior Supervisor is $117,869.

3. What is the lowest pay for Laboratory Senior Supervisor?

The lowest pay for Laboratory Senior Supervisor is $80,466.

4. What are the responsibilities of Laboratory Senior Supervisor?

Organizes and directs the daily activities of the laboratory. Responsible for supervising laboratory personnel and acts as a point of contact for questions or issues. Reviews and edits reports detailing results and conclusions, applications, and methodology. Conducts routine maintenance and safety checks on lab equipment to ensure working order. Assists with receipt and inspection of raw materials and the ordering and stocking of materials and equipment. Implements policies and procedures to promote effective laboratory operations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Laboratory Senior Supervisor?

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

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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