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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Director in Iowa is $138,322 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.
However, a Lab Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lab Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $152,977 | $12,748 | $2,942 | $74 |
| Average | $138,322 | $11,527 | $2,660 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,593 | $10,633 | $2,454 | $61 |
St. David's Medical Center - AUSTIN, TX
St. David's Medical Center - PFLUGERVILLE, TX
St. David's Medical Center - CEDAR PARK, TX
Mercy - MANCHESTER, MO
A Lab 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lab 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Laborator... Level Lab Director | $78,574 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Director | $92,721 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Director | $113,074 |
| Lab Direc... Level Lab Director | $137,244 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Director | $160,829 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Lab Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Lab Director 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 Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lab Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $172,902 | $83.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $165,986 | $80.0 | 20% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $152,154 | $73.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $152,154 | $73.0 | 10% |
| Insurance | $152,154 | $73.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lab 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $152,977 | $12,748 | $2,942 | $74 |
| Average | $138,322 | $11,527 | $2,660 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $127,593 | $10,633 | $2,454 | $61 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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Carle Health, a leader in community-based healthcare, is seeking a dedicated and skilled Lab Cytologist to join our innovative Laboratory Services team. In... more
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