Quality Control Lab Manager Salary in the United States

How much does a Quality Control Lab Manager make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Quality Control Lab Manager in the United States is $79,454 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.

However, a Quality Control Lab Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $94,533
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,248 to $87,347
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,956

Key Factors That Influence Quality Control Lab Manager Salaries

A Quality Control Lab 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 Quality Control Lab Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Quality Control Lab 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): $64,376
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $80,163
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $97,842
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $123,928
  • Expert (over 8 years): $133,624
Levels Salary
Quality C... Level Quality Control Lab Manager$64,376
Quality C... Level Quality Control Lab Manager$80,163
Quality C... Level Quality Control Lab Manager$97,842
Quality C... Level Quality Control Lab Manager$123,928
Quality C... Level Quality Control Lab Manager$133,624

How Do Quality Control Lab Manager 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 Quality Control Lab Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $87,971.
  • California: $87,638.
  • Massachusetts: $86,470.

Top Paying Cities for Quality Control Lab 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: $100,215
  • San Francisco: $99,118
  • Oakland: $97,029

What Skills Can Increase a Quality Control Lab Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.61% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Food Safety (Mentioned in 2.84% Job Postings): Applying procedures during food preparation, processing, storage, and distribution to ensure consumers are safe from foodborne illnesses.
  • Chemistry (Mentioned in 2.06% Job Postings): Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the composition, structure, and properties of substances of which matter is composed.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.61%
Food Safety 2.84%
Chemistry 2.06%

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 Quality Control Lab Manager's salary.

  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • SOP: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Project Management $85,016
7%
SOP $84,221
6%
Collaboration $83,427
5%

Quality Control Lab Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Quality Control Lab Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 10% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 5% above the average. In contrast, Quality Control Lab Manager positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Quality Control Lab Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Quality Control Lab Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$83,427$40.05%
Biotechnology$83,427$40.05%
Business Services$83,427$40.05%
Chemicals$83,427$40.05%
Construction$83,427$40.05%

How Education impacts a Quality Control Lab Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Quality Control Lab Managers enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Quality Control Lab Manager with a Associate's Degree is between $75,130 and $80,644).

Quality Control Lab Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Quality Control Lab Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.8%
High School 1.8%
Associates 4.5%
Bachelors 70.5%
Masters 23.2%
Doctorate 0.0%

Quality Control Lab Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Quality Control Lab 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 October 01, 2026
$69,248
Average $79,454/year
$87,347
$5,771
Average $6,621/month
$7,279
$1,332
Average $1,528/week
$1,680
$33
Average $38/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,347 $7,279 $1,680 $42
Average $79,454 $6,621 $1,528 $38
25th Percentile $69,248 $5,771 $1,332 $33

Most common benefits for Quality Control Lab Manager

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

Common company salaries for Quality Control Lab Manager

Here are companies hiring for Quality Control Lab Manager and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Quality Control Lab Manager

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Quality Control Lab Manager?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Quality Control Lab Manager roles, with salaries approximately 5% 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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