Laboratory Operations Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Laboratory Operations Manager make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Laboratory Operations Manager in the United States is $110,287 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $53.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,165
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $98,583 to $120,692
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,928

Key Factors That Influence Laboratory Operations Manager Salaries

A Laboratory Operations Manager'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 Operations Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Laboratory Operations Manager'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $62,266
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,000
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,100
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $133,574
  • Expert (over 8 years): $146,485
Levels Salary
Laborator... Level Laboratory Operations Manager$62,266
Laborator... Level Laboratory Operations Manager$95,000
Laborator... Level Laboratory Operations Manager$111,100
Laborator... Level Laboratory Operations Manager$133,574
Laborator... Level Laboratory Operations Manager$146,485

Top Paying Cities for Laboratory Operations Managers

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: $139,105
  • San Francisco: $137,582
  • Oakland: $134,682

What Skills Can Increase a Laboratory Operations Manager'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 Operations Manager'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 $115,801
5%
Innovation $114,698
4%
Standard Operating Procedures $114,698
4%

Laboratory Operations Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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

The top paying industries for a Laboratory Operations Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$137,859$66.025%
Financial Services$132,344$64.020%
Energy & Utilities$126,830$61.015%
Internet$126,830$61.015%
Pharmaceuticals$126,830$61.015%

How Education impacts a Laboratory Operations Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Laboratory Operations Managers 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 Laboratory Operations Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $94,396 and $100,459).

Laboratory Operations Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Laboratory Operations Manager
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 Operations Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Laboratory Operations Manager'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
$98,583
Average $110,287/year
$120,692
$8,215
Average $9,191/month
$10,058
$1,896
Average $2,121/week
$2,321
$47
Average $53/hour
$58
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $120,692 $10,058 $2,321 $58
Average $110,287 $9,191 $2,121 $53
25th Percentile $98,583 $8,215 $1,896 $47

Most common benefits for Laboratory Operations Manager

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

Common company salaries for Laboratory Operations Manager

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

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FAQ about Laboratory Operations Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Laboratory Operations Manager?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Laboratory Operations Manager 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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