As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Lab Manager in the United States is $131,591 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Research Lab Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Research Lab Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $144,231 | $12,019 | $2,774 | $69 |
| Average | $131,591 | $10,966 | $2,531 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,640 | $9,803 | $2,262 | $57 |
A Research 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Research 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager | $92,929 |
| Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager | $108,677 |
| Research ... Level Research Lab Manager | $130,661 |
| Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager | $143,291 |
| Laborator... Level Research Lab Manager | $167,894 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 6.98% |
| Calibration | 2.56% |
| Regulatory Compliance | 1.77% |
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 Research Lab Manager's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management | $138,171 | |
| Quality Management | $136,855 | |
| Pathology | $136,855 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Lab 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 Research Lab Manager with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $112,287 and $120,615).
| Typical Education for Research Lab Manager | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.4% |
| High School | 3.8% |
| Associates | 6.9% |
| Bachelors | 53.1% |
| Masters | 30.2% |
| Doctorate | 5.7% |
Understanding how a Research 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $144,231 | $12,019 | $2,774 | $69 |
| Average | $131,591 | $10,966 | $2,531 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,640 | $9,803 | $2,262 | $57 |
Salaries for a Research Lab Manager can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $102,720 in 2023 to around $102,733 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research Lab Manager salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $102,720 |
| 2024 | $103,592 |
| 2025 | $102,733 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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The Construction industry offers the highest average compensation for Research Lab Manager roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.
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