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Laboratory Director Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Director in the United States is $171,688 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $83.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $202,721
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $148,744 to $187,932
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,855
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Director Salaries

A Laboratory Director'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 Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Director'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 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
  • Laboratory Director (5+ years): $171,688
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Laboratory Supervisor4+ years$95,029
Laboratory Senior Supervisor3-5 years$111,133
Laboratory Manager5+ years$133,614
Laboratory Senior Manager5+ years$146,529
Laboratory Director5+ years$171,688
View as Graph

How Do Laboratory Director 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 Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $190,093.
  • California: $189,372.
  • Massachusetts: $186,848.

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Directors

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: $216,550
  • San Francisco: $214,179
  • Oakland: $209,665

Laboratory Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Laboratory Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $191,868. While startup companies pay approximate $162,301.

Laboratory Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $162,301
Growth Stage 51~500 $171,650
Established 501~5000 $185,274
Enterprise 5000+ $191,868

Laboratory Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Laboratory Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 101% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Laboratory Director positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Laboratory Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$240,363$116.040%
Pharmaceuticals$231,779$111.035%
Financial Services$214,610$103.025%
Biotechnology$206,026$99.020%
Internet$206,026$99.020%

How Education impacts a Laboratory Director's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laboratory Director 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 Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $0 and $0.

Laboratory Director Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Laboratory Director
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 25.0%
High School 25.0%
Associates 25.0%
Bachelors 0.0%
Masters 25.0%
Doctorate 50.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Laboratory Director'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
$148,744
Average $171,688/year
$187,932
$12,395
Average $14,307/month
$15,661
$2,860
Average $3,302/week
$3,614
$72
Average $83/hour
$90
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $187,932 $15,661 $3,614 $90
Average $171,688 $14,307 $3,302 $83
25th Percentile $148,744 $12,395 $2,860 $72

Most common benefits for Laboratory Director

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

Common company salaries for Laboratory Director

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

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FAQ about Laboratory Director

1. Where can a Laboratory Director earn the most?

A Laboratory Director'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 Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Laboratory Director is $216,550.

2. What is the highest pay for Laboratory Director?

The highest pay for Laboratory Director is $202,721.

3. What is the lowest pay for Laboratory Director?

The lowest pay for Laboratory Director is $127,855.

4. What are the responsibilities of Laboratory Director?

Leads and directs the strategic design, management, and implementation of laboratory operations. Establishes and approves operating policies and procedures to guide the design of projects. Estimates the time and resources needed to complete projects. Orders and inspects materials and equipment and maintains detailed and accurate inventory of lab supplies. Manages costs by maintaining vendor relationships and implementing process improvements. Typically responsible for acquiring funding. Requires a master's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

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

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Laboratory Director roles, with salaries approximately 40% 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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