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Laboratory Supervisor Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Supervisor in the United States is $95,029 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $116,017
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $86,775 to $106,015
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $79,260
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Supervisor Salaries

A 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 Laboratory Supervisor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 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:

  • Laboratory Coordinator (2-4 years): $62,285
  • Laboratory Supervisor (4+ years): $95,029
  • Laboratory Senior Supervisor (3-5 years): $111,133
  • Laboratory Manager (5+ years): $133,614
  • Laboratory Senior Manager (5+ years): $146,529
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Laboratory Coordinator2-4 years$62,285
Laboratory Supervisor4+ years$95,029
Laboratory Senior Supervisor3-5 years$111,133
Laboratory Manager5+ years$133,614
Laboratory Senior Manager5+ years$146,529
View as Graph

How Do 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 Laboratory Supervisors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $105,216.
  • California: $104,817.
  • Massachusetts: $103,420.

Top Paying Cities for 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: $119,860
  • San Francisco: $118,548
  • Oakland: $116,049

What Skills Can Increase a 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 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 $116,886
23%
CPR $113,085
19%
Clinical Services $106,432
12%
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Laboratory Supervisor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Laboratory Supervisor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $106,199. While startup companies pay approximate $89,833.

Laboratory Supervisor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $89,833
Growth Stage 51~500 $95,008
Established 501~5000 $102,549
Enterprise 5000+ $106,199

Laboratory Supervisor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Supervisor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$123,538$59.030%
Internet$114,035$55.020%
Energy & Utilities$109,283$53.015%
Aerospace & Defense$104,532$50.010%
Insurance$104,532$50.010%

How Education impacts a Laboratory Supervisor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laboratory 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 Supervisor with a Bachelor's Degree is between $80,626 and $87,132.

Laboratory Supervisor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 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

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

Understanding how a 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
$86,775
Average $95,029/year
$106,015
$7,231
Average $7,919/month
$8,835
$1,669
Average $1,827/week
$2,039
$42
Average $46/hour
$51
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $106,015 $8,835 $2,039 $51
Average $95,029 $7,919 $1,827 $46
25th Percentile $86,775 $7,231 $1,669 $42

Laboratory Supervisor Salary Growth & Career Path

Laboratory Supervisor

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Advancement

For a Laboratory Supervisor, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Laboratory Senior Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $111,133 - a projected growth of 17% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Laboratory Supervisor

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

Common company salaries for Laboratory Supervisor

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

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FAQ about Laboratory Supervisor

1. Where can a Laboratory Supervisor earn the most?

A Laboratory 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 Supervisor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Laboratory Supervisor is $119,860.

2. What is the highest pay for Laboratory Supervisor?

The highest pay for Laboratory Supervisor is $116,017.

3. What is the lowest pay for Laboratory Supervisor?

The lowest pay for Laboratory Supervisor is $79,260.

4. What are the responsibilities of Laboratory 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 small group of para-professional staff in an organization characterized by highly transactional or repetitive processes. Contributes to the development of processes and procedures. Typically requires 3 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area under supervision.

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Laboratory Supervisor roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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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